There are several diet plans that have their own recommended types of weight loss food. But how can you tell that the weight loss food you are eating can really contribute to healthy and gradual weight loss?
No restrictions?
The best weight loss food does not restrict you from eating more. In fact, you can eat more of them but still aid you in losing weight. The latest studies show that you can eat as much lean protein as you want. Even by substituting your carbohydrates and fats with lean protein, you can gradually lose weight and keep it off.
The deal with protein
Protein has always been known to benefit people who are trying to lose weight. For instance, protein-rich foods are essential for building and repairing muscle tissue. Some of the best protein sources include the following: milk, tofu, fish, eggs, cheese, low-fat yogurt, and lean meat.
Just enough calories
Being mindful of how much calories your body can burn should never be taken for granted when it comes to losing weight. Weight loss food provides your body with reduced calorie intake but they are still giving you enough vitamins and minerals for your body.
No skipping meals
The best weight loss food is something that you can eat for 5 to 6 times a day in small portions but still won’t make you worry about gaining weight. They include fruits and vegetables that are flexible enough to be included into different types of recipes for snacks, complete meals, and shakes. Keep in mind that you should not starve yourself to keep your metabolism running.
Mind the energy
It is important to understand that no amount of weight loss food alone can provide you instant results for losing weight. It is important to understand that losing weight results from the energy (from calories) that you are consuming from different types of food included in your diet. Furthermore, the entire energy of your diet should be lower compared to the total energy that is being used by your body.
High in fiber
Another type of weight loss food that is suitable for people who are trying to lose or maintain their weight should be high in fiber. Fiber works by helping your stomach fill in quicker, making you feel full so you eat less. Eating less simply means that you are cutting down your intake of calories.
Something low in fat
Your weight loss food should also be low in fat. In fact, low-fat foods are perceived as the most helpful if you want to lose weight. This is because fat has more than twice the quantity of energy compared to protein and carbohydrates. Therefore, eating less fat also cuts down your intake of calories.
The importance of water
Water also benefits weight loss so make sure that food for weight loss keeps you dehydrated and can aid in your digestion. However, make sure that you do not eat salty foods because they will cause you to retain water, which contributes to the feeling of being bloated. The bloated feeling is caused by your water weight, which causes you to gain a few more pounds.
What to avoid
Everybody loves fast food and processed foods like junk food and anything that can be cooked instantly (i.e. microwave pizza, TV dinners, etc.). However, they are not the best foods for losing weight. In fact, they are one of the contributors for weight gain because they usually have high sugar, high fat, and high calorie content. Avoid processed foods especially those that have high sugar and calorie content
On prepackaged foods
Fad diet plans come with their own ideas on how much calories you should take in. These plans provide you with prepackaged foods for weight loss that are geared to teach you discipline when it comes to following a strict diet regimen. They make it easy for you to limit yourself on what you should eat in a day and they are designed for people who have no time to plan their meals.
Nutritious foods
There are also foods that packed with nutritious elements, especially those that are filled with B vitamins. B vitamins are helpful when it comes to increasing your energy levels so you can exercise more. Keep in mind that no food for weight loss can become entirely effective unless you pair them up with regular exercise, so get all the energy you need to keep moving.
Phillip England is a [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com]weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret]
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Weight Loss Starts Within Our Brains
The brain is the body's command center. This is true both from an unaware autonomic sense and from a conscious, willful sense. From that central place, instructions flow to our bodies to keep us functioning and to purposely move around in our environment.
Within the confines of our minds, we also have the ability to tell ourselves that something is possible or impossible. Sometimes things truly are impossible to do but other times our own thinking makes it that way.
I once tutored basic math to college students. When I encountered people who were having trouble understanding negative numbers I was surprised. Yet, if a person could balance a check book, they could understand negative numbers.
However, until the analogy was drawn, these people had difficulty actually performing calculations with negative numbers. What previously seemed impossible, gradually became possible. It was with expanding knowledge and experience that they were able to grow mathematically.
Isn't it much the same with almost everything else too? I bet you have plenty of examples of subjects or topics that seemed daunting at first until you began to learn more about them. After a certain point of gaining knowledge and experience some subjects probably became second nature to you. You may have even begun to wonder how other people, didn't 'get it'.
If you have ever had the pleasure of tutoring or teaching someone else, you catch a glimpse of the learning process from a second party viewpoint. It's a beautiful thing to watch someone learn and grow. It can also be rewarding to know that you had something to do with it.
Imagine that weight loss is much the same. Could it be that it is just a lack of experience and understanding that creates a barrier for you or someone you love?
What is the key to breaking down that barrier? Experience and knowledge is the answer. Study, read up on weight loss, and experiment with what works and what does not work. Over time, you will be able to wade through the confusion and find the results you are seeking. The only other ingredient is the will to keep going until you find the answer.
The first step is to get worthwhile information about what works and what does not work. Has there ever really been many subjects that could be completely covered from only one text book or point of view?
The question becomes, "who's information should I trust"? When you are just starting out on your quest to lose weight that can be a daunting inquiry.
May I suggest avoiding fad diets that begin with a fast for 'cleansing purposes'? These diets tend to violate long term and sound weight loss principles for the sake of short term results. This is different from caloric restriction. Caloric restriction has its place, but you can restrict calories and still eat.
The idea of cleansing or detox does have a place, but it is not for long term, more permanent weight loss results. It can get you short term results though. Who wants to fast every time he wants to shed a few pounds?
Determination, motivation and ever expanding knowledge may be the ticket to getting you to your weight loss goals. The good news is that you know it is physically possible to lose weight in most cases because others have done it. That leaves the final factor to be solved within the space between one's own ears. You can do it, just go for it!
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide advice. Consult with your physician before dieting or taking up exercise.
Grab Your $9 Simple [http://www.weightlosssimpleplan.com]Weight Loss Guide or Your Free [http://www.weightlosssimpleplan.com/freereport]Weight Loss Report! David Snape is the author of: Weight Loss: A Simple Guide to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off!
Within the confines of our minds, we also have the ability to tell ourselves that something is possible or impossible. Sometimes things truly are impossible to do but other times our own thinking makes it that way.
I once tutored basic math to college students. When I encountered people who were having trouble understanding negative numbers I was surprised. Yet, if a person could balance a check book, they could understand negative numbers.
However, until the analogy was drawn, these people had difficulty actually performing calculations with negative numbers. What previously seemed impossible, gradually became possible. It was with expanding knowledge and experience that they were able to grow mathematically.
Isn't it much the same with almost everything else too? I bet you have plenty of examples of subjects or topics that seemed daunting at first until you began to learn more about them. After a certain point of gaining knowledge and experience some subjects probably became second nature to you. You may have even begun to wonder how other people, didn't 'get it'.
If you have ever had the pleasure of tutoring or teaching someone else, you catch a glimpse of the learning process from a second party viewpoint. It's a beautiful thing to watch someone learn and grow. It can also be rewarding to know that you had something to do with it.
Imagine that weight loss is much the same. Could it be that it is just a lack of experience and understanding that creates a barrier for you or someone you love?
What is the key to breaking down that barrier? Experience and knowledge is the answer. Study, read up on weight loss, and experiment with what works and what does not work. Over time, you will be able to wade through the confusion and find the results you are seeking. The only other ingredient is the will to keep going until you find the answer.
The first step is to get worthwhile information about what works and what does not work. Has there ever really been many subjects that could be completely covered from only one text book or point of view?
The question becomes, "who's information should I trust"? When you are just starting out on your quest to lose weight that can be a daunting inquiry.
May I suggest avoiding fad diets that begin with a fast for 'cleansing purposes'? These diets tend to violate long term and sound weight loss principles for the sake of short term results. This is different from caloric restriction. Caloric restriction has its place, but you can restrict calories and still eat.
The idea of cleansing or detox does have a place, but it is not for long term, more permanent weight loss results. It can get you short term results though. Who wants to fast every time he wants to shed a few pounds?
Determination, motivation and ever expanding knowledge may be the ticket to getting you to your weight loss goals. The good news is that you know it is physically possible to lose weight in most cases because others have done it. That leaves the final factor to be solved within the space between one's own ears. You can do it, just go for it!
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide advice. Consult with your physician before dieting or taking up exercise.
Grab Your $9 Simple [http://www.weightlosssimpleplan.com]Weight Loss Guide or Your Free [http://www.weightlosssimpleplan.com/freereport]Weight Loss Report! David Snape is the author of: Weight Loss: A Simple Guide to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weight Loss Truths - Un-Sugar Coated
Millions of people are currently on a weight loss mission. Sadly, only a small fraction will lose weight, and half of those that do succeed will put it right back on in a matter of months.
The weight loss product industry makes billions of dollars yearly at the whim of desperate consumers looking for that quick fix, that magic pill, or the revolutionary machine that will make them lose weight.
Weight loss does not come in a bottle or a machine. It never has, and it never will. True weight loss takes proper nutrition, exercise, and rest. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, overnight miracles, or FDA approved drugs that will force the fat off your body, much less keep it off.
While you read this revealing article keep a few key points in mind. These are the truths that you may not want to hear, but need to. Here are the weight loss truths, un-sugar coated.
Weight Loss Truth #1 - You will not lose 5-10 pounds of body fat in a week
If you want to lose fat and keep it off, then it's going to take some time. I won't guarantee 5-10 pound weight loss in a week or two, but I will say you can realistically lose 1-2 pounds of body fat a week, and gain lean muscle at the same rate. You didn't put the weight on overnight, and therefore it's not going to magically disappear overnight.
True weight loss is fat loss…not muscle loss, not water or bone loss, but fat loss. Losing 5-10 pounds or more a week is a loss of bone, muscle, and water, which results in a destroyed metabolism.
Scale weight is obsolete, as the scale is only a measuring device, unable to distinguish between muscle, fat, bone, and water weight.
Weight Loss Truth #2 - There is no quick fix to fat loss, and fad diets are worthless
Lose 40 pounds in a week! Lose weight while you sleep! Rapid weight loss! Lose weight without diet or exercise! These are consumer hot buttons, causing you to buy products with your emotions. They are misleading and just plain lies, lies, and lies. Fad diets and “quick fix” products will drain your wallet and leave you feeling worse than when you started. The only weight you will lose on a fad diet or a quick fix is water, muscle, and bone. These are not desired results, as they lead to metabolic downgrade and increased fat storage.
Lotions, potions, and gadgets for fat loss should be tossed out the window. They are worthless. Taking fat off requires nutrients and exercise. It's that simple, yet rarely told to you because the weight loss product industry's job it to make an insane amount of money.
Weight Loss Truth #3 - You have to stop eating processed foods labeled "healthy," "low-fat," or "low-carb".
Food labels are misleading and can cause you to gain more fat in the long run. They are completely processed.
Prepackaged meals and “diet foods” contain chemicals that your body can't metabolize and therefore, it slows down your metabolism. Chemicals that don't leave your body become toxins and get lodged in your fat cells, making fat loss even more difficult.
Weight Loss Truth #4 - You will have to put forth the effort if you want to lose fat
The body is made to be nourished and to be physical. If you want to lose fat you have to eat right and get moving. It may not be glamorous or fun, but it's a must if you want to shed the fat.
There are a number of things you can do for exercise, such as walking, in-line skating, weight training, biking, hiking, swimming, etc. Whatever your choice is, just do it.
Weight Loss Truth #5 - You will not be a supermodel or swimsuit model
Well, I'm not saying this can't or won't happen, but my point is that many weight loss ads suggest that after you take their product you will look like the supermodel marketing the product.
Remember, models are models. They are spokespersons for the company. They are just doing their job. Just because a supermodel is holding a bottle of the latest cortisol blocker does not mean you will look like her by taking that product.
Weight Loss Truth #6 - Muscle does not weigh more than fat
There is a misconception linked with weight training, that muscle weighs more than fat. I've heard Dr. Phil say this (yes, the wonderful “dieting expert”), as well as Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer. These people are looked upon as icons, yet they are giving out false information.
Muscle does not weigh more than fat. Go do the experiment yourself right now. Grab two pounds of chicken fat and weigh it, and then weigh two pounds of chicken meat (muscle). Which weighs more? Neither. Two pounds of fat weighs the same as two pounds of muscle, two pounds.
Muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space. Therefore, it would be ideal to add muscle to your frame because it’s more dense, creates curves, and it increases your metabolism.
Weight Loss Truth #7 - You can't spot reduce
Doing a thousand leg lifts won't reduce your thighs any faster than doing a thousand crunches to tone your abs. Simply, and sadly put, you cannot spot reduce. Doing crunches upon crunches will only build the underlying abdominal muscle beneath your layer of tummy fat.
To trim down flabby areas you need to eat several small balanced meals that are unprocessed, and you need to exercise. When your body fat begins to reduce, your trouble spots will begin to shape up.
Weight Loss Truth #8 - Weight loss is a lifestyle
Losing weight properly, which is reducing body fat and building lean muscle tissue, should not be a one-shot approach; it should be a lifetime commitment. If you ever go back to your old destructive habits you will become out of shape again, and will have to work twice as hard to get back in shape.
Adopt a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle, and maintain it for the rest of your life. Doing so will keep you fit, energetic, slow down the aging process, keep you looking young, and it will prevent early degenerative diseases.
Being healthy and in shape is not genetic, it's by choice. Make the right choice today.
Weight Loss Truths Conclusion
Now that you have the weight loss truths, begin to work on them to improve your health and to get in shape. Your health and your body are yours, and you have to work daily to keep them functioning correctly and to give you the look you want. Once you get in the shape you want to be in, all you have to do from there is simple maintenance, which becomes something you do daily, such as brushing your teeth or shaving your legs.
Do your body right and it won't steer you wrong.
Copyright 2006 Karen Sessions
Karen Sessions has been in the fitness industry since 1988. She is a nationally qualified bodybuilder and holds two personal training certifications. She has written 6 ebooks on fitness and has helped hundreds of clients transform their bodies. http://www.theelitephysique.com
The weight loss product industry makes billions of dollars yearly at the whim of desperate consumers looking for that quick fix, that magic pill, or the revolutionary machine that will make them lose weight.
Weight loss does not come in a bottle or a machine. It never has, and it never will. True weight loss takes proper nutrition, exercise, and rest. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, overnight miracles, or FDA approved drugs that will force the fat off your body, much less keep it off.
While you read this revealing article keep a few key points in mind. These are the truths that you may not want to hear, but need to. Here are the weight loss truths, un-sugar coated.
Weight Loss Truth #1 - You will not lose 5-10 pounds of body fat in a week
If you want to lose fat and keep it off, then it's going to take some time. I won't guarantee 5-10 pound weight loss in a week or two, but I will say you can realistically lose 1-2 pounds of body fat a week, and gain lean muscle at the same rate. You didn't put the weight on overnight, and therefore it's not going to magically disappear overnight.
True weight loss is fat loss…not muscle loss, not water or bone loss, but fat loss. Losing 5-10 pounds or more a week is a loss of bone, muscle, and water, which results in a destroyed metabolism.
Scale weight is obsolete, as the scale is only a measuring device, unable to distinguish between muscle, fat, bone, and water weight.
Weight Loss Truth #2 - There is no quick fix to fat loss, and fad diets are worthless
Lose 40 pounds in a week! Lose weight while you sleep! Rapid weight loss! Lose weight without diet or exercise! These are consumer hot buttons, causing you to buy products with your emotions. They are misleading and just plain lies, lies, and lies. Fad diets and “quick fix” products will drain your wallet and leave you feeling worse than when you started. The only weight you will lose on a fad diet or a quick fix is water, muscle, and bone. These are not desired results, as they lead to metabolic downgrade and increased fat storage.
Lotions, potions, and gadgets for fat loss should be tossed out the window. They are worthless. Taking fat off requires nutrients and exercise. It's that simple, yet rarely told to you because the weight loss product industry's job it to make an insane amount of money.
Weight Loss Truth #3 - You have to stop eating processed foods labeled "healthy," "low-fat," or "low-carb".
Food labels are misleading and can cause you to gain more fat in the long run. They are completely processed.
Prepackaged meals and “diet foods” contain chemicals that your body can't metabolize and therefore, it slows down your metabolism. Chemicals that don't leave your body become toxins and get lodged in your fat cells, making fat loss even more difficult.
Weight Loss Truth #4 - You will have to put forth the effort if you want to lose fat
The body is made to be nourished and to be physical. If you want to lose fat you have to eat right and get moving. It may not be glamorous or fun, but it's a must if you want to shed the fat.
There are a number of things you can do for exercise, such as walking, in-line skating, weight training, biking, hiking, swimming, etc. Whatever your choice is, just do it.
Weight Loss Truth #5 - You will not be a supermodel or swimsuit model
Well, I'm not saying this can't or won't happen, but my point is that many weight loss ads suggest that after you take their product you will look like the supermodel marketing the product.
Remember, models are models. They are spokespersons for the company. They are just doing their job. Just because a supermodel is holding a bottle of the latest cortisol blocker does not mean you will look like her by taking that product.
Weight Loss Truth #6 - Muscle does not weigh more than fat
There is a misconception linked with weight training, that muscle weighs more than fat. I've heard Dr. Phil say this (yes, the wonderful “dieting expert”), as well as Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer. These people are looked upon as icons, yet they are giving out false information.
Muscle does not weigh more than fat. Go do the experiment yourself right now. Grab two pounds of chicken fat and weigh it, and then weigh two pounds of chicken meat (muscle). Which weighs more? Neither. Two pounds of fat weighs the same as two pounds of muscle, two pounds.
Muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space. Therefore, it would be ideal to add muscle to your frame because it’s more dense, creates curves, and it increases your metabolism.
Weight Loss Truth #7 - You can't spot reduce
Doing a thousand leg lifts won't reduce your thighs any faster than doing a thousand crunches to tone your abs. Simply, and sadly put, you cannot spot reduce. Doing crunches upon crunches will only build the underlying abdominal muscle beneath your layer of tummy fat.
To trim down flabby areas you need to eat several small balanced meals that are unprocessed, and you need to exercise. When your body fat begins to reduce, your trouble spots will begin to shape up.
Weight Loss Truth #8 - Weight loss is a lifestyle
Losing weight properly, which is reducing body fat and building lean muscle tissue, should not be a one-shot approach; it should be a lifetime commitment. If you ever go back to your old destructive habits you will become out of shape again, and will have to work twice as hard to get back in shape.
Adopt a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle, and maintain it for the rest of your life. Doing so will keep you fit, energetic, slow down the aging process, keep you looking young, and it will prevent early degenerative diseases.
Being healthy and in shape is not genetic, it's by choice. Make the right choice today.
Weight Loss Truths Conclusion
Now that you have the weight loss truths, begin to work on them to improve your health and to get in shape. Your health and your body are yours, and you have to work daily to keep them functioning correctly and to give you the look you want. Once you get in the shape you want to be in, all you have to do from there is simple maintenance, which becomes something you do daily, such as brushing your teeth or shaving your legs.
Do your body right and it won't steer you wrong.
Copyright 2006 Karen Sessions
Karen Sessions has been in the fitness industry since 1988. She is a nationally qualified bodybuilder and holds two personal training certifications. She has written 6 ebooks on fitness and has helped hundreds of clients transform their bodies. http://www.theelitephysique.com
Herbs for Weight Loss: Things You Need to Know
Losing weight is not very easy. It takes determination to achieve the weight that you desire. It is always recommended to eat healthy foods and take exercise. However, you may also try adding herbs for weight loss in your plan. These are not replacements for healthy foods and regular exercise, but herbs for weight loss will aid you in the process.
Usually herbs are used for losing weight because they:
• make your digestion and metabolism efficient
• help the body in burning more calories
• decrease your appetite
• make the body excrete water
• help in overcoming emotional problems due to eating
Herbs for weight loss may work with someone does not guarantee that they will also work for you. Herbs have different reactions to a human body. If you plan to use herbs to help you lose weight, please consult your doctor to get information about the herb you would like to take. Also, your doctor can suggest appropriate herbs for weight loss that is suitable to your body and condition.
Here are some of the popular herbs for weight loss and information about them.
Bitter Orange
This herb will decrease your appetite, thus your food consumption will be lower causing you to lose weight. However, they can cause heart problems (irregular heart rate, attacks & stroke), high blood pressure, insomnia and may sometime lead to death. Its long term effect is still being studied.
Cayenne
This is commonly known as hot pepper or chili pepper. This herb is mostly used today not only for medicinal purposes but for weight loss as well. Sweating and a rush of adrenalin are some of the effect of this herb. But, always be careful when taking this herb because excessive use can cause intestinal tract irritation.
Ephedra
Quite similar to bitter orange, it also decreases your appetite. It can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, sleeplessness and death. They have been banned in the market but can still be bought on the internet.
Green Tea
Taking green tea will help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism and decreasing your apetite. But green tea has a large percentage of caffeine. They can also cause diarrhea, indigestion and vomiting.
Hypericum (St. Johns Wort)
If you eat a lot when under stress, this herb is recommended because it is considered to be an antidepressant It has been used to treat nerve pain, mental and sleep disorders. Nowadays, it is used to lose weight because of its ability to control your appetite.
Citrus Aurantium
This is a commonly used Chinese herb which can convert stored fat into energy, thus, increasing the chances of a person to loss weight.
Cinnamon
It’s effect on sugar makes it helpful in losing weight because it lowers the percentage of bad cholesterol leaving the good ones the same.
There are many herbs for weight loss which can be used while having a healthy diet and enough exercise. These herbs can be additives to your food and drinks to make them easier to eat.
But remember that there are some herbs which should not be taken together if you have some health problems because they may have undesirable reactions to some medicines or to your body. So it is still best to consult your doctor or dietician about using herbs for weight loss to properly achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes inthe latest in Health and Nutrition. For more informationregarding [http://www.loseweightcontrol.com/herbs_for_weight_loss.php] Herbs For Weight Loss please drop by at http://www.loseweightcontrol.com/
Usually herbs are used for losing weight because they:
• make your digestion and metabolism efficient
• help the body in burning more calories
• decrease your appetite
• make the body excrete water
• help in overcoming emotional problems due to eating
Herbs for weight loss may work with someone does not guarantee that they will also work for you. Herbs have different reactions to a human body. If you plan to use herbs to help you lose weight, please consult your doctor to get information about the herb you would like to take. Also, your doctor can suggest appropriate herbs for weight loss that is suitable to your body and condition.
Here are some of the popular herbs for weight loss and information about them.
Bitter Orange
This herb will decrease your appetite, thus your food consumption will be lower causing you to lose weight. However, they can cause heart problems (irregular heart rate, attacks & stroke), high blood pressure, insomnia and may sometime lead to death. Its long term effect is still being studied.
Cayenne
This is commonly known as hot pepper or chili pepper. This herb is mostly used today not only for medicinal purposes but for weight loss as well. Sweating and a rush of adrenalin are some of the effect of this herb. But, always be careful when taking this herb because excessive use can cause intestinal tract irritation.
Ephedra
Quite similar to bitter orange, it also decreases your appetite. It can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, sleeplessness and death. They have been banned in the market but can still be bought on the internet.
Green Tea
Taking green tea will help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism and decreasing your apetite. But green tea has a large percentage of caffeine. They can also cause diarrhea, indigestion and vomiting.
Hypericum (St. Johns Wort)
If you eat a lot when under stress, this herb is recommended because it is considered to be an antidepressant It has been used to treat nerve pain, mental and sleep disorders. Nowadays, it is used to lose weight because of its ability to control your appetite.
Citrus Aurantium
This is a commonly used Chinese herb which can convert stored fat into energy, thus, increasing the chances of a person to loss weight.
Cinnamon
It’s effect on sugar makes it helpful in losing weight because it lowers the percentage of bad cholesterol leaving the good ones the same.
There are many herbs for weight loss which can be used while having a healthy diet and enough exercise. These herbs can be additives to your food and drinks to make them easier to eat.
But remember that there are some herbs which should not be taken together if you have some health problems because they may have undesirable reactions to some medicines or to your body. So it is still best to consult your doctor or dietician about using herbs for weight loss to properly achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes inthe latest in Health and Nutrition. For more informationregarding [http://www.loseweightcontrol.com/herbs_for_weight_loss.php] Herbs For Weight Loss please drop by at http://www.loseweightcontrol.com/
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Is Your Goal Really Weight Loss?
Are you ashamed of your weight? Do you have a goal weight that you want to reach through weight loss? I’d say so, it’s been pushed into our brains many times over and over again that “weight loss” is what we want to accomplish. There are weight loss guides, weight loss supplements, and many other things that push “weight loss”. Many people even set their goals to be at a certain weight. Additionally, the medical community has developed an “ideal weight” chart, which can further add to the confusion about weight loss.
Now, let me ask you a question. Is your goal really weight loss? Unless you are trying to make a weight class for wrestling or some other sport with weight classes, you may think that your goal is weight loss, but it really isn’t. You are trying to lose that flubbery stuff attached to your body called FAT. Correct?
So then, why do we measure our progress by how much we weigh? Why do we step on the bathroom scale and hope that those numbers will be lower than before? You see, our weight is affected by more than just how much fat is on our body. Some other factors include water, muscle, glycogen, and obviously if we have eaten anything earlier or used the bathroom lately.
Our water weight fluctuates constantly. For instance, when we exhale water vapor comes out. When we sweat, we are sweating out water. There are also many more factors that can affect the amount of water in our body. Water is what usually causes those random gains or losses of a pound or two in weight that can make you happy or sad. It is almost physiologically impossible to lose a pound of fat in one day.
One reason the low-carb or no-carb (also called ketogenic) diets are so attractive is because of the large initial loss of weight. However, this weight is not necessarily fat. When carbohydrates are restricted the body has a backup store of them located in the liver and muscles in the form of something called glycogen. The human body can store approximately 400 grams of glycogen. In larger individuals this number can increase. In addition to this, for each gram of glycogen stored in the human body, 3 grams of water are also stored. If you figure it out, this would equate to about 1600 grams (3.5 pounds) of glycogen and water.
When you stop or limit your consumption of carbohydrates, your body starts using its glycogen stores. After a couple of days that 1600 grams (3.5 pounds) of glycogen and water are gone. Also, as an adaptation to the restriction of carbohydrates, your body produces these things called ketones. Ketones also appear to have a diuretic effect, which would mean an even greater loss of water.
In addition to water, if you have been working out lately to speed along your “weight loss” (you mean fat loss, right?) progress you probably have gained some muscle doing so. This gain in muscle can also affect the numbers you see on the scale. Muscle is also more dense than fat.
You may be wondering how you are going to measure your progress now that the scale doesn’t mean as much as it used to. Well, there are several methods to measure your body fat percentage. None of these methods are 100% accurate, but they will be much more useful than the use of a scale.
One of the simplest ways is to use a caliper. You can usually find these at your local sporting goods/fitness shop. If you can’t find them locally, you can order them off the internet. Calipers measure the thickness of a skin fold on your triceps. Then there are directions that come with the caliper that show you how to use the number you get to derive your body fat %.
If you don’t want to go out and buy some calipers, there is a body fat % calculator on my website. The calculator uses the circumference of several parts of your body and then plugs them into a formula developed by the U.S. Navy to derive an approximation of your body fat %.
You can find this calculator here: http://www.weight-loss-resources.com/calculators/bodyfat.html
There are also much more accurate ways to measure your body fat % like buoyancy testing or the use of special lasers.
If you insist on knowing your progress by weight loss and want to use a scale, try to weigh yourself at the same time everyday. Probably the best time would be right when you wake up in the morning and before you do anything.
So, your new goal should be to shoot for fat loss and not weight loss. Don’t necessarily trust the scale all the time as it can be deceiving - your weight is affected by more than just how much fat you have gained or lost. In addition, it is almost physiologically impossible to gain or lose a pound of fat in one day.
Nathan Latvaitis runs a website at http://www.weight-loss-resources.com where you can find even more fitness/weight loss articles, product reviews, book reviews, calculators, a message board, and more.
Now, let me ask you a question. Is your goal really weight loss? Unless you are trying to make a weight class for wrestling or some other sport with weight classes, you may think that your goal is weight loss, but it really isn’t. You are trying to lose that flubbery stuff attached to your body called FAT. Correct?
So then, why do we measure our progress by how much we weigh? Why do we step on the bathroom scale and hope that those numbers will be lower than before? You see, our weight is affected by more than just how much fat is on our body. Some other factors include water, muscle, glycogen, and obviously if we have eaten anything earlier or used the bathroom lately.
Our water weight fluctuates constantly. For instance, when we exhale water vapor comes out. When we sweat, we are sweating out water. There are also many more factors that can affect the amount of water in our body. Water is what usually causes those random gains or losses of a pound or two in weight that can make you happy or sad. It is almost physiologically impossible to lose a pound of fat in one day.
One reason the low-carb or no-carb (also called ketogenic) diets are so attractive is because of the large initial loss of weight. However, this weight is not necessarily fat. When carbohydrates are restricted the body has a backup store of them located in the liver and muscles in the form of something called glycogen. The human body can store approximately 400 grams of glycogen. In larger individuals this number can increase. In addition to this, for each gram of glycogen stored in the human body, 3 grams of water are also stored. If you figure it out, this would equate to about 1600 grams (3.5 pounds) of glycogen and water.
When you stop or limit your consumption of carbohydrates, your body starts using its glycogen stores. After a couple of days that 1600 grams (3.5 pounds) of glycogen and water are gone. Also, as an adaptation to the restriction of carbohydrates, your body produces these things called ketones. Ketones also appear to have a diuretic effect, which would mean an even greater loss of water.
In addition to water, if you have been working out lately to speed along your “weight loss” (you mean fat loss, right?) progress you probably have gained some muscle doing so. This gain in muscle can also affect the numbers you see on the scale. Muscle is also more dense than fat.
You may be wondering how you are going to measure your progress now that the scale doesn’t mean as much as it used to. Well, there are several methods to measure your body fat percentage. None of these methods are 100% accurate, but they will be much more useful than the use of a scale.
One of the simplest ways is to use a caliper. You can usually find these at your local sporting goods/fitness shop. If you can’t find them locally, you can order them off the internet. Calipers measure the thickness of a skin fold on your triceps. Then there are directions that come with the caliper that show you how to use the number you get to derive your body fat %.
If you don’t want to go out and buy some calipers, there is a body fat % calculator on my website. The calculator uses the circumference of several parts of your body and then plugs them into a formula developed by the U.S. Navy to derive an approximation of your body fat %.
You can find this calculator here: http://www.weight-loss-resources.com/calculators/bodyfat.html
There are also much more accurate ways to measure your body fat % like buoyancy testing or the use of special lasers.
If you insist on knowing your progress by weight loss and want to use a scale, try to weigh yourself at the same time everyday. Probably the best time would be right when you wake up in the morning and before you do anything.
So, your new goal should be to shoot for fat loss and not weight loss. Don’t necessarily trust the scale all the time as it can be deceiving - your weight is affected by more than just how much fat you have gained or lost. In addition, it is almost physiologically impossible to gain or lose a pound of fat in one day.
Nathan Latvaitis runs a website at http://www.weight-loss-resources.com where you can find even more fitness/weight loss articles, product reviews, book reviews, calculators, a message board, and more.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Guide to the Right Weight Loss Fitness Plan
To be able to effectively lose weight and be able to keep the pounds off, you need to come up with the right weight loss fitness plan. A weight loss fitness plan should match your health and lifestyle needs. Furthermore, it should be able to contribute to a complete change in your lifestyle and eating habits. Here is a guide on how you can come up with the right weight loss fitness plan.
Keep on moving
Perhaps you are getting tired of hearing about exercising and how it contributes to weight loss. However, no matter how much you deny it, exercising indeed contributes to weight loss, especially when combined with a proper diet. The right weight loss fitness plan that involves exercising can provide a lot of benefits to you. First of all, it can make you feel better about yourself. Second, it helps you become more resistant to disease and injury. Finally, it contributes to a longer and healthier life.
Your fitness plan
Before coming up with a weight loss fitness plan, you should consult with your doctor first. Your doctor is going to evaluate your health and overall condition to help you design the right weight loss fitness plan that you can safely follow. It is important to do the right exercises and to eat the right kinds of food that is suitable for your health and lifestyle so you won’t experience any problems later on.
Strategies
There are strategies you can incorporate in your weight loss fitness plan that can help you achieve your weight loss goals and needs. These strategies can also serve as your guide to keeping fit and to inspire you to stick to your fitness plan or even make some improvements. Here are some of them.
Don’t strain yourself
At the start of your weight loss fitness plan, do not be too hard on yourself. This simply means that you should not do more than what your body can handle. For instance, you do not have to subject yourself to a 2-hour workout if your body can only handle 30 minutes of being on the treadmill or lifting weights. Do not worry because your physical strength and endurance can improve over time, which can allow you to finally do more strenuous exercises.
Start slowly
You do not have to rush into things, especially when exercising. Remember to do stretching or warm-up exercises before proceeding to the main program so you won’t strain your muscles. Also, if you are a beginner, try to do at least 1 to 3 workouts in a week, and you can gradually increase the number of times you work out in a week once you find that you are adjusting and improving.
Take note of the details
Your fitness plan serves as your map to becoming fit and staying healthy so make sure to follow whatever is in it. Even the little details matter, so make sure you keep them in mind, too. If you are not sure on how you can come up with a detailed fitness plan, you can consult a professional fitness trainer. Just make sure that they know about your health and lifestyle so they can come up with the right fitness plan that is suitable for your needs.
Realistic and attainable goals
Come up with long term and short term weight loss and fitness goals but make sure that they are realistic and attainable so you won’t have to feel frustrated in the end. When setting these goals, make sure to keep in mind that weight loss does not happen overnight. Rather, it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to be able to do so. Furthermore, keep track of your weight loss achievements by keeping a journal or a diet blog.
Educate yourself
It is very important that you know what you are doing so do a little research or talk to the experts about the right kinds of exercises that you can do. Exercising correctly and safely can contribute to proper and safe weight loss. Take time to learn the basics about exercising so you can know which types of exercises are fit for your health and condition.
Enjoy exercising
Perhaps the most important part of making a fitness plan for weight loss is you should make sure that you are going to enjoy it. If you do not find it enjoying at all, you can be creative and find ways to enjoy it. For example, you can try watching TV while running on your treadmill or listening to your favorite music when you are walking or jogging. If you have a dog, walking it can serve as exercise, too. Just find what you like to do and you can be creative in incorporating them in your fitness plan.
Phillip England is a [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com]weight loss expert and Author of the popular report The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret. To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know,
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_England http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-the-Right-Weight-Loss-Fitness-Plan&id=708662
Keep on moving
Perhaps you are getting tired of hearing about exercising and how it contributes to weight loss. However, no matter how much you deny it, exercising indeed contributes to weight loss, especially when combined with a proper diet. The right weight loss fitness plan that involves exercising can provide a lot of benefits to you. First of all, it can make you feel better about yourself. Second, it helps you become more resistant to disease and injury. Finally, it contributes to a longer and healthier life.
Your fitness plan
Before coming up with a weight loss fitness plan, you should consult with your doctor first. Your doctor is going to evaluate your health and overall condition to help you design the right weight loss fitness plan that you can safely follow. It is important to do the right exercises and to eat the right kinds of food that is suitable for your health and lifestyle so you won’t experience any problems later on.
Strategies
There are strategies you can incorporate in your weight loss fitness plan that can help you achieve your weight loss goals and needs. These strategies can also serve as your guide to keeping fit and to inspire you to stick to your fitness plan or even make some improvements. Here are some of them.
Don’t strain yourself
At the start of your weight loss fitness plan, do not be too hard on yourself. This simply means that you should not do more than what your body can handle. For instance, you do not have to subject yourself to a 2-hour workout if your body can only handle 30 minutes of being on the treadmill or lifting weights. Do not worry because your physical strength and endurance can improve over time, which can allow you to finally do more strenuous exercises.
Start slowly
You do not have to rush into things, especially when exercising. Remember to do stretching or warm-up exercises before proceeding to the main program so you won’t strain your muscles. Also, if you are a beginner, try to do at least 1 to 3 workouts in a week, and you can gradually increase the number of times you work out in a week once you find that you are adjusting and improving.
Take note of the details
Your fitness plan serves as your map to becoming fit and staying healthy so make sure to follow whatever is in it. Even the little details matter, so make sure you keep them in mind, too. If you are not sure on how you can come up with a detailed fitness plan, you can consult a professional fitness trainer. Just make sure that they know about your health and lifestyle so they can come up with the right fitness plan that is suitable for your needs.
Realistic and attainable goals
Come up with long term and short term weight loss and fitness goals but make sure that they are realistic and attainable so you won’t have to feel frustrated in the end. When setting these goals, make sure to keep in mind that weight loss does not happen overnight. Rather, it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to be able to do so. Furthermore, keep track of your weight loss achievements by keeping a journal or a diet blog.
Educate yourself
It is very important that you know what you are doing so do a little research or talk to the experts about the right kinds of exercises that you can do. Exercising correctly and safely can contribute to proper and safe weight loss. Take time to learn the basics about exercising so you can know which types of exercises are fit for your health and condition.
Enjoy exercising
Perhaps the most important part of making a fitness plan for weight loss is you should make sure that you are going to enjoy it. If you do not find it enjoying at all, you can be creative and find ways to enjoy it. For example, you can try watching TV while running on your treadmill or listening to your favorite music when you are walking or jogging. If you have a dog, walking it can serve as exercise, too. Just find what you like to do and you can be creative in incorporating them in your fitness plan.
Phillip England is a [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com]weight loss expert and Author of the popular report The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret. To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know,
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_England http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-the-Right-Weight-Loss-Fitness-Plan&id=708662
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Health and Fitness Help That Gives You Consistent Weight Loss That is Easy to Achieve
Health and Fitness Help That Gives You Consistent Weight Loss That is Easy to AchieveBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston]H Woolston
If you were to tell me that you wanted to drop a few pounds over a few weeks to look good for a special occasion then I'd be able to tell you that this is not that hard to achieve. But, if you want to lose weight more consistently over time I'd have to say that you might find this harder. So would I.
You want to know a secret about losing weight that most diet companies and fitness experts won't tell you? It's boring.
Sure, the buzz you get when you start is fantastic. There's no better feeling in the world than when you get motivated to lose weight and can actually feel and see the pounds disappearing.
This isn't just about your own mental motivation, you understand. You're also motivating your body to lose weight for itself by giving it healthier stuff to eat and/or making it work out. Problem is, after that first few weeks, both you and your body will be bored with what you're doing.
Your body will start to compensate for the efforts you're making and it probably won't have to work as hard after a few weeks as it did when you gave it that initial weight loss shock. You may maintain the new weight you've achieved but your body won't be able to burn off any more fat in such a spectacular way.
And maybe you'll start to get a bit down about it all. After all it's fine eating nothing but cabbage soup or driving yourself close to dying at the gym every day when your body rewards you by dropping a pound or two on a regular basis. How many weeks or even days do you think you can keep it up when your body settles into your new routine and refuses to lose any more weight?
If you are like many people in this situation then you'll just give up. Hard work that is not rewarded turns us off and it is easy to just think that your campaign to lose weight is not working any more because it is too hard to stick with over time. So, you'll probably drop the gym visits and start eating badly again. The pounds will come back on and you'll be right back where you started.
But, you can get round this hurdle. If you can find a health and fitness program that keeps you and your body motivated then you won't notice this dip after a few weeks. What you need is a health and fitness solution that prods your body out of complacency every time it gets used to something you're doing. That way you'll see both great short term results and better long term ones.
If you want some helpful suggestions then take a look at some of the solutions suggested at http://www.YouCanLoseWeightToday.com The ideas presented there might just help get your body working to lose weight fast for you and lessen your cravings during the process!
In addition you'll be able to sign up for our short email course - The Four Hidden Mysteries Of Successful Weight Loss where you can learn why some people CAN easily lose weight, and some people can't - and how you can become one of the CAN-LOSE-WEIGHT people!
H Woolston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-and-Fitness-Help-That-Gives-You-Consistent-Weight-Loss-That-is-Easy-to-Achieve&id=2976060
If you were to tell me that you wanted to drop a few pounds over a few weeks to look good for a special occasion then I'd be able to tell you that this is not that hard to achieve. But, if you want to lose weight more consistently over time I'd have to say that you might find this harder. So would I.
You want to know a secret about losing weight that most diet companies and fitness experts won't tell you? It's boring.
Sure, the buzz you get when you start is fantastic. There's no better feeling in the world than when you get motivated to lose weight and can actually feel and see the pounds disappearing.
This isn't just about your own mental motivation, you understand. You're also motivating your body to lose weight for itself by giving it healthier stuff to eat and/or making it work out. Problem is, after that first few weeks, both you and your body will be bored with what you're doing.
Your body will start to compensate for the efforts you're making and it probably won't have to work as hard after a few weeks as it did when you gave it that initial weight loss shock. You may maintain the new weight you've achieved but your body won't be able to burn off any more fat in such a spectacular way.
And maybe you'll start to get a bit down about it all. After all it's fine eating nothing but cabbage soup or driving yourself close to dying at the gym every day when your body rewards you by dropping a pound or two on a regular basis. How many weeks or even days do you think you can keep it up when your body settles into your new routine and refuses to lose any more weight?
If you are like many people in this situation then you'll just give up. Hard work that is not rewarded turns us off and it is easy to just think that your campaign to lose weight is not working any more because it is too hard to stick with over time. So, you'll probably drop the gym visits and start eating badly again. The pounds will come back on and you'll be right back where you started.
But, you can get round this hurdle. If you can find a health and fitness program that keeps you and your body motivated then you won't notice this dip after a few weeks. What you need is a health and fitness solution that prods your body out of complacency every time it gets used to something you're doing. That way you'll see both great short term results and better long term ones.
If you want some helpful suggestions then take a look at some of the solutions suggested at http://www.YouCanLoseWeightToday.com The ideas presented there might just help get your body working to lose weight fast for you and lessen your cravings during the process!
In addition you'll be able to sign up for our short email course - The Four Hidden Mysteries Of Successful Weight Loss where you can learn why some people CAN easily lose weight, and some people can't - and how you can become one of the CAN-LOSE-WEIGHT people!
H Woolston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-and-Fitness-Help-That-Gives-You-Consistent-Weight-Loss-That-is-Easy-to-Achieve&id=2976060
Lose Weight Easily and Permanently With Help That Makes Things Crystal Clear
Lose Weight Easily and Permanently With Help That Makes Things Crystal ClearBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston]H Woolston
Finding clear and specific advice on how to lose weight is probably just as hard (if not harder) than actually losing the weight in the first place! Sometimes it seems like nobody agrees and everyone has a different opinion on what you should or shouldn't do. How do you know who is right?
Problem here is that the health, fitness and weight loss industry is a huge money making machine with extremely well oiled wheels (oiled by the money dieters pay usually!). So, diet companies know that this sector is worth a lot of money to them and they are constantly striving to produce the diet, fitness program or weight loss plan that is the next big solution that everyone will want.
That gives rise to a huge amount of competition. There are hundreds of different diet companies out there competing to get you to buy into their products and services. They find it extremely hard to differentiate themselves - after all, they all promise the same end result, that you will lose weight with their help.
In order to make themselves look better than the competition a diet or health and fitness company will often simply take the approach of telling people why their competitor's products or solutions are not as good as their own. This works well for them when they can't say anything positively different about their own products or services.
But, what does this mean to you if you're trying to find a diet to go on or a fitness program to try out? In basic terms it can mean a lot of confusion. You can't tell which option is the best here as they all promise to deliver the same stuff and the only thing you have to go on a lot of the time is the fact that they all try and put down the competitive options.
To be honest things will go a lot easier for you and you'll find it simpler to lose weight easily and permanently if you stop looking at what the major companies have to say and take advice from an expert. If you can find somebody who has helped other people in your situation to achieve their fitness goals then you'll know that you are on to a winner. This is the easiest way to lose weight easily and permanently.
If you want some helpful suggestions then take a look at some of the solutions suggested at http://www.YouCanLoseWeightToday.com The ideas presented there might just help get your body working to lose weight fast for you and lessen your cravings during the process!
In addition you'll be able to sign up for our short email course - The Four Hidden Mysteries Of Successful Weight Loss where you can learn why some people CAN easily lose weight, and some people can't - and how you can become one of the CAN-LOSE-WEIGHT people!
H Woolston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston http://EzineArticles.com/?Lose-Weight-Easily-and-Permanently-With-Help-That-Makes-Things-Crystal-Clear&id=2976144
Finding clear and specific advice on how to lose weight is probably just as hard (if not harder) than actually losing the weight in the first place! Sometimes it seems like nobody agrees and everyone has a different opinion on what you should or shouldn't do. How do you know who is right?
Problem here is that the health, fitness and weight loss industry is a huge money making machine with extremely well oiled wheels (oiled by the money dieters pay usually!). So, diet companies know that this sector is worth a lot of money to them and they are constantly striving to produce the diet, fitness program or weight loss plan that is the next big solution that everyone will want.
That gives rise to a huge amount of competition. There are hundreds of different diet companies out there competing to get you to buy into their products and services. They find it extremely hard to differentiate themselves - after all, they all promise the same end result, that you will lose weight with their help.
In order to make themselves look better than the competition a diet or health and fitness company will often simply take the approach of telling people why their competitor's products or solutions are not as good as their own. This works well for them when they can't say anything positively different about their own products or services.
But, what does this mean to you if you're trying to find a diet to go on or a fitness program to try out? In basic terms it can mean a lot of confusion. You can't tell which option is the best here as they all promise to deliver the same stuff and the only thing you have to go on a lot of the time is the fact that they all try and put down the competitive options.
To be honest things will go a lot easier for you and you'll find it simpler to lose weight easily and permanently if you stop looking at what the major companies have to say and take advice from an expert. If you can find somebody who has helped other people in your situation to achieve their fitness goals then you'll know that you are on to a winner. This is the easiest way to lose weight easily and permanently.
If you want some helpful suggestions then take a look at some of the solutions suggested at http://www.YouCanLoseWeightToday.com The ideas presented there might just help get your body working to lose weight fast for you and lessen your cravings during the process!
In addition you'll be able to sign up for our short email course - The Four Hidden Mysteries Of Successful Weight Loss where you can learn why some people CAN easily lose weight, and some people can't - and how you can become one of the CAN-LOSE-WEIGHT people!
H Woolston
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Woolston http://EzineArticles.com/?Lose-Weight-Easily-and-Permanently-With-Help-That-Makes-Things-Crystal-Clear&id=2976144
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