Quick Weight Loss- Is There a Perfect Weight Loss System?

By Efe Oghate

Increasing numbers of people around the world are experiencing weight problems but a foolproof quick weight loss program does not yet exist; despite some methods that are debatable however, a number of proven systems that help shed pounds healthily do exist. Being overweight is the cause of many medical conditions which require long term attention but obesity also affects the way we see ourselves as well.

How difficult or easy your weight loss program is will depend on how much you apply yourself to shedding those extra pounds. Losing weight can be for health reasons, self image reasons or both but whatever the reason, you must be sure that you're doing it for your benefit and not another person.

No matter what weight loss program you choose, you need to take into consideration the following factors; what, how and when you eat, your behavior and the activity level you are planning to have.

To keep things simple it is easier to consider that one pound lost per week is realistically the equivalent to around 3,500 calories which breaks down to losing 500 calories a day, every day whether through dieting, exercise or both. Most of us eat too much and definitely an excess of junk foods which we shouldn't rely on the way we do although it is not a good idea to cut out everything you enjoy.

How we feel is also a determining factor as people who are depressed are not happy about their lives usually consume too much. It is nonsense to believe that continued eating and weight gain will not have serious consequences to your health as we now see in the increase of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart conditions and cancer. The answer to permanent weight reduction is not just about easy weight loss diets but the person themselves and their psychological attitude to the problem, the underlying reason of being overweight and a number of genetic factors

The success of a quick weight loss program also relies on the mental attitude of the person involved so if they stay happy and do not get stressed they will more likely lose the weight they desire. It helps to provide an environment of positive mental attitude which is necessary for us if we wish to be successful in any endeavor. Most people that loss those extra pounds claim they have more energy and are able to do things that their weight had stopped them from enjoying previously.

Once a person starts seeing real benefits from using their quick weight loss program, it is less of a chore to continue with the plan. All this being said, you should know that achieving a quick weight loss is somewhat easier, especially if the underlying cause of the excess weight is known.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=855503

How To Lose Weight The Easy And Safe Way

By Rasheed Aladel

WHAT IS THE BEST DIET

Many people ask me which is the best diet for me to follow, with practically a new diet coming out every year I find myself getting frustrated with the mis- information being put out there. Let me shine some light on some of these fad diets.

Why fad diets don't work

There's no question if you follow these fad diets you will lose weight, but I can also guarantee you will not be able to sustain these so-called diets which is why millions of people follow these diets only to pack back on the pounds again.

The simple answer to this is fad diets do not work, the reason they do not work is because you can only follow such a ridiculous routine for only so long successful long-term weight loss is not necessarily about a diet but it's about long-term happiness.

I even hate that word diets, because it is linked to feelings of restriction and unhappiness but what I do believe in is a sensible nutrition plan which allows you to eat five to six enjoyable small meals a day. To be honest with you I wish all of these fad diets did work then we wouldn't be experiencing the problems we have today such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Before I explain to you the concept of a healthy eating plan I'll cover just a few of these fad diets.

THE ATKINS DIET.

I'm sure you've all heard of the Atkins diet and heard about the supposed success stories. The problem is that most of these fad diets work on the basis of calorie reduction. with the Atkins carbohydrates are severely limited, the atkins diet requires that you get your calories from just protein and fat.

The way this works is by consuming so much fat and protein it sends a signal to your brain saying that your full when in reality you are not, this can result in metabolic disorders. The Atkins diet will allow you to lose weight but at what cost? the side-effects of the Atkins diet is nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and bad breath (urghh)

I would have to say the Atkins diet is a big no-no, a healthy diet is well rounded and borrows from all the food groups such as carbohydrates, protein and good fats. Tricking your body into believing it is full, when it's not, will only can catch up with you and make you feel ill through the lack of nutrients received in you diet.

The weight loss achieved in Atkins is mainly muscle mass, and muscle tissue is what helps speed up your metabolic rate, the more muscle tissue you have the more calories you burn. Which is why when people realise they cannot sustain the Atkins diet any more they put the weight on twice as fast because now they do not have the muscle to combat the fat.

Bear in mind when a new diet hits the market and seems too good to be true, your usually right!

THE ZONE DIET

The zone diet is used by many celebrities such as Jennifer aniston, Renee zellweger, Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Winona Ryder. The main concept of the zone diet is a balanced ratio of carbohydrates (40) and proteins (30%) so on this diet you do actually get to eat, which in my eyes is a good start.

The zone diet works by following recipes with a low-carbohydrate diet plan, it does insist on watching your calorie consumption while eating eg. A meal must not exceed 500 calories and a snack must not exceed 100 calories which they call staying in the zone.

I must say weight loss is not the only benefit of the zone diet you also experience improved energy, improved mental clarity and is also ideal for type 2 diabetes sufferers. This diet was implemented to reduce hunger and compulsion to eat. Zone diet recipes are customized to each individual, based on your sex, activity level and proportion of body fat.

The foods the zone diet encourages are fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts, leafy green vegetables, sufficient protein consumption, and eight glasses of water everyday. How weight loss is achieved with the zone diet is similar to the low gi diet.

By reducing your carbohydrates your body will not produce too much insulin (a hormone that tells your body to store up nutrients) consuming too much carbohydrates causes this to happen which is why carbs are seen as the bad guys. The overload of insulin tells the body to convert the carbohydrates you ate into fat stores around your belly, thighs, buttocks and other areas.

Carbohydrates are not totally the bad guys if you limit them and balance them with low-fat protein this will keep your insulin levels balanced. I like this diet because it's not so much a diet, it's more of a eating plan. The only problem I have with the zone diet is calculating meals and snacks every day is not totally convenient, with 5 hours of exercise a week and a variety of balanced meals consisting of low gi carbs, protein and veg is a simpler formula to lose weight.

THE SOUTH BEACH DIET

The south beach to me is an improved version of the atkins diet because it does allow "good" carbohydrates like fruit and foods with a low glycemic (Gi) index. The south beach diet gives you the freedom to snack all day if you feel the need to and not to worry about counting calories.

This diet is a complete waste of time because if you give people in search of losing weight the go-ahead to eat a portion as big as they like, they probably will, I know I would if I didn't know any better. Even eating the healthiest foods if you consume too much you will still put on weight.

WEIGHT WATCHERS

Weight watchers have created their own brand of foods with low calories from full dinners to ice cream. I must say weight watchers have tried to make counting calories as simple as they can here by running a points system.

Their point system runs something like this: each food has a point value ranging from 0 for jelly to 8 for pizza. Depending on your bodyweight, you are allowed a certain amount of points daily, if you stay under your points you lose weight.

With weight watchers you are allowed to bank points and use them over days, exercise also earns you points. When you're feeling down in the dumps or lacking in the motivation department you can go to daily weight watchers meetings and get great tips and motivation from others who have overcome their obstacles and achieved there goals.

I believe weight watchers has stood the test of time because they focus more on long term healthy eating rather than restrictive dieting, we are all human and sometimes we desire some of our favorite dessert or pizza without having to feel like a failure. I feel this is totally acceptable and is a good approach to achieving your goals.

THE GI DIET

This diet definitely takes the No.1 spot for me, because it's more of a eating plan than a restrictive diet. The GI diet also teaches you that carbs are not the bad guys after all, it's the type of carbs you eat that is important.

Put simply the GI diet is a scale which charts how quickly a food is converted into sugar in the body. Foods that chart as a high G.I number are converted into sugar more quickly than foods that have a low G.I number, the scale is based on a rating of 1 to 100.

So why is the G.I number important?

If a food is rated high on the G.I scale your body is more likely to store fat, this is due to insulin which is the primary storage hormone in your body and is used to help get nutrients into the different cells of your body. High G.I foods raise our blood sugar so rapidly that insulin has to be released in our body to bring our blood sugar down to a normal baseline, in order for insulin to bring our blood sugar levels down it has to store the sugar

It's a simple stimulus - response system that works to keep blood sugar levels in balance in the body.

So how does this affect your fat loss?

I'll tell you how, just remember when insulin is present in your bloodstream, your body is in STORAGE mode and will NOT release fat from your fat cells to burn. So when your blood sugar levels are high, your body isn't burning fat.

Another thing is when your blood sugar is high, your body is using that blood sugar for energy instead of using fat. Sugar is the preferred fuel for your body because it's easier to use, but it confuses the body so the body takes a guess and always releases too much insulin to bring your blood sugar level down but too much insulin results in bringing your blood sugar levels too low leaving you feeling dizzy and lethargic craving for more sugary foods to perk yourself up again, this is where the vicious cycle starts.

How do you stop this cycle?

To stop this vicious cycle you need keep your blood sugar levels stable so your body stays in fat burning mode instead of STORAGE mode. You accomplish this by focusing on eating low G.I carbs (every G.I diet book gives you a list of low G.I foods)

When you eat low G.I foods, the carbs are converted into sugar at a slower, steadier rate into the body, this way your body doesn't have to panick and send out extra reserves of insulin in an emergency response, also your blood sugar levels will not drop so suddenly leaving you craving for more sugar an hour later.

The steady state you recieve from consuming low G.I foods will allow your body to access stored bodyfat and use this fat for energy instead of constantly relying on blood sugar. The bonus… you don't get as hungry and you feel more energised throughout the day with a leaner body to go with it.

G.I diet: A eating plan for life

Another advantage of the G.I diet is that it focuses on good amounts of protein, healthy fats and fiber, which is a well balanced diet.

The concept of the G.I diet is scientifically sound because it works and can be maintained for the rest of your life unlike many fad diets which cannot. Eating low G.I foods for fat loss can have a positive impact not only on your fat loss but on your mood and well being as well.

A diet that focuses on natural, unprocessed foods such as whole grains, quality lean proteins, healthy fats and lots of fiber is no doubt going to be a effective diet

About The Author: Rasheed 'the body sculptor' Aladel is a certified Fitness and Nutrition Expert to find out more from this author visit http://www.sculptrexfitness.co.uk

Article Souce: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_7075.shtml

Fat Burning Workouts - Uncover The Best

By Daniel Depp

The best fat burning workouts are those which help to increase your metabolism over a sustained period of time. Long, low intensity cardio workouts have long been cited as the best way to burn fat, more recently however, studies have shown that this is not the optimum way to lose fat. In this article I will unveil two key components to high quality fat burning workouts. These revelations may well surprise you, I know they surprised me when I found out about them - they also helped me to lose over 20lbs of fat over a six month period and keep that weight off, all with very little demand on my time.

These 2 types of exercises should be incorporated into your fat burning workouts;

1. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

This type of training involves working out for short periods of time at a high intensity. HIIT is far more productive for fat-loss because it helps maintain lean muscle mass whilst increasing your body's metabolism over a longer period of time (both during and after exercise) compared to low intensity training. This increase in metabolism promotes fat burning; recent studies have shown that 20 minutes of highly intense exercise burns vastly more fat calories than 45 minutes of the same exercise performed at a low intensity.

Workouts should be performed in short bursts. I recommend beginning with a warm-up of 5 minutes duration at a low intensity followed by 30 seconds of highly intense explosive exercise before lowering intensity for 1 minute. Repeat this high-low cycle 4-5 times and then perform a cool-down at a low intensity for another 5 minutes. Your total HIIT workout should last between 16 and 18 minutes. As you improve you can increase intervals and extend your workout beyond 20 minutes. I recommend working out using this type of routine for no longer than 25 minutes 3-4 times per week.

2. Weight Lifting.

Strength training through lifting weights should comprise an important part of your fat burning workouts.

An intense weight training session helps your body to burn calories during the workout and also elevates your metabolism for as long as 39 hours after your have finished the session. During weight training your body is fueled by carbohydrates and the more intense those sessions are the more depleted carbohydrate stores become, resulting in more fat being burnt during the recovery phase.

Obviously weight lifting promotes muscle gain. This is vital for any fat-loss regime because additional muscle mass results in a higher resting metabolism - more calories are burnt throughout the day. In fact for every 1lb of lean muscle mass your body burns as much as 50 calories per day just to maintain it, that means more fat lost doing absolutely nothing! Rest is also an important part of your fat burning workouts, your body needs time to recover and grow.

Make your weights sessions quick-fire and lift as heavy as you can. My current fat burning workouts incorporate weights 3 days per week, I make sure every session I do is highly intense with fairly short rests between sets and each workout lasts no longer than 45 minutes. Follow this example and you will be well on your way to losing that stubborn body fat that has thus far refused to leave!

If you really want to blast fat away quickly and easily then I thoroughly recommend checking out The 7 Secrets To Fat-loss which unveils 7 of the most over-looked aspects to fat-loss which most people will never known. Get the upper hand by learning the secrets and applying them to your own fat burning workouts.

Should you wish to view a number of specific exercises that I have used numerous times to accelerate my own fat-loss then please visit Fat Burning Exercises and lose that fat forever!

Daniel Depp is a health and fitness fanatic. He is a former professional athlete who, since retiring found himself over-eating and piling on weight. He decided that enough was enough and embarked on a mission to gather as much information about weight-loss and fitness as he possibly could and then impliment these in his own life. He has since lost over 20 pounds of body fat, lives a healthy and vibrant lifestyle and is committed to helping others do the same. Visit his website at Secrets To Fat-loss to learn the '7 Forbidden Secrets' to ultimate fat-loss which will help you achieve the body you always wanted, permanently.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Depp

How To Lose Fat

By Brandon Walsh

Unlike a fine wine, your hips and thighs won't get better with age. If you want to lose fat in these areas, here are a few tips that should help you reach your goal.

Lose Fat Tip #1: Motivation

Remember that old saying "Inch by inch, it's a cinch, yard by yard it's really hard"? Well, It's true when trying to lose fat as well, so give yourself a break and start small. If you succeed in making a few key changes, it will do wonders for your confidence, motivation, and ultimately, in your goal to lose fat.

Lose Fat Tip #2: Exercise

Exercise is not only a great way to jump start your diet program and lose fat, but it's critical to your overall health. When you're thinking about an exercise program, concentrate on all the areas of your health you'll be improving upon, rather than just focusing on how to lose fat.

Here are a few items worth considering:

Increased Energy

One of my all time favorites. The more exercise you incorporate into your lifestyle, the more energy you will have, the more easily you will lose fat, and with less fat and more energy, everything in your life will become easier.

Strong Bones and Muscles

Exercise is critical for strong bones and muscles and for slowing the progression of osteoporosis. It's also very important for arthritic conditions as it helps to keep your joints flexible.

Mental Alertness

Exercise is one the cheapest and easiest ways to keep the doctor away. From depression to dementia, you won't find a better all natural medicine.

Lose Fat Tip #3: Diet

The best way to tackle a new diet plan is to educate yourself. It's a common misconception that eating fewer meals will provide the necessary means to lose fat. In fact, the opposite is true, by strictly limiting our calorie intake, we actually slow down our metabolism and the result is that we lose fat more slowly. (Not a great motivator!)

Although it's quite possible to lose fat without going on a detox diet, it's one of the best ways to get a head start on any weight loss regimen.

Most people realize the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise program and yet fail to incorporate one into their daily lifestyle. One of the worst things you can do when trying to lose fat is plunge into some ridiculous exercise routine. This will no doubt burn you out and ruin your confidence. Setting a realistic goal, is by far the best way to go. When it comes to achieving your desired results, remember, inch by inch, it's a cinch, bite by bite, your buns get tight!

Looking for a way to detox your body and lose fat easily and effectively? If so, check out: Lose Fat Body Wraps

Brandon Walsh is considered an expert author in the fields of biblical nutrition, weight loss, and healthy living.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Walsh

The Truth About Cardio & Fat Loss Exercise

By Craig Ballantyne

The Fat Burning Zone is all just a big misunderstanding. The truth is, exercising in the fat burning zone is a big waste of time. You are better off doing short, burst exercise to lose your belly fat.

There is nothing magical about the so-called "fat burning zone".

By definition, the fat burning zone is the exercise intensity where your body burns the highest proportion of fat.

However, the fat burning zone is relatively low intensity exercise, and burns less calories than if you worked at a harder pace for the same amount of time.

The fat burning zone has never been shown in a study to be more effective for fat loss than any other type of exercise.

The purpose of exercise is to burn calories during and after exercise when the body is recovering from the workout. The fat burning zone is generally low-intensity exercise, but low-intensity exercise burns fewer calories.

Therefore, forget about this term and this fat burning myth. Instead, use the interval training guidelines from any of my weight loss workout programs to improve your fitness, calorie burning, and fat loss.

You can't magically lose fat from one area? Will you lose fat from a specific area by doing certain exercises? What exercises will help you lose my love handles?

The answer of course, is "No, you can't lose fat from a specific area just by doing certain exercises."

This is also known as spot reducing, and just can't be done. If we told you that there was one secret exercise that could magically reduce the fat from one of your trouble spots, then we'd be rich. But we'd also be lying.

Fat burning isn't like building muscle. When you strength train to build muscle, you only make gains in the specific muscles that were trained ("spot gaining"). But no exercise has the ability to burn fat from one specific area only ("spot reducing").

When you exercise, you burn fat from all over your body. Doing one thousand ab crunches won't help you lose your belly fat any faster than a good total- body routine.

The best approach to fat loss is one that includes three major components.

Nutrition is numero uno when it comes to fat burning. It is so important for people to follow good nutrition principles when they are trying to improve their body. If you haven't already heard these basic recommendations for fat loss nutrition, here are the 5 best fat loss nutrition tips:

1. Eat several small meals per day, rather than 2-3 large meals.

2. Monitor your food intake using one of the free websites that allow you to track your calories.

3. Determine how many calories you should eat per day to maintain your bodyweight.

4. If you want to lose fat, start by reducing your food intake by 200-300 calories per day below your maintenance level and add 3 workouts per week using my workout programs.

5. Stop eating processed foods and replace all sweetened beverages with water or Green Tea. This can quickly reduce your food intake by hundreds of calories immediately.


Discover the top 5 fat loss myths at http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com - home of the world's most effective fat loss workouts.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Mystery of a Failed Weight Loss Diet

By Ruth Tan

Bringing you the story of Jane to unravel why some weight loss diet strategies just wouldn't work...

Jane is struggling big time with her weight loss diet. Since young, she has a voracious appetite for sweet delights like ice-cream, candies, and desserts. Now that she understands the health risks related to obesity, she has started to conscientiously cut down her fat intake by avoiding foods such as milk, cheese, etc, eating a much lesser amount of rice for each meal, and taking a lot more fruits and vegetables than ever. However, inconceivably, she is still getting fatter. So, what's the mystery here?

Firstly, like many people, Jane probably doesn't know what a carbohydrate is. She seems to think carbohydrates are starchy foods like rice, pasta, noodles, breads, whereas vegetables, fruits, and even sweets are simply food types that she can eat in unlimited amounts to satisfy her sweet tooth without gaining weight. The truth is sweets, vegetables and fruits, like rice and bread are all carbohydrates, which are merely different forms of simple sugars linked together in polymers. Any carbohydrates not immediately used by the body will be converted into fat and stored in fatty tissue. And in this case, if Jane continues to eat a lot of high-glycemic sugared stuff and have aplenty fruits and vegetables, she is consuming an excessive amount of sugar and refined carbohydrates. And worse, if she is leading a sedentary lifestyle and not exercising regularly, she would have even a harder time shedding kilos.

Secondly, eating fat does not make us fat. Our body cannot metabolize fat into fat. When we consume fat, our body has to break it down into its little building blocks and then absorb the pieces, and what is not used it eliminates. The fat you have in our body is not the same as the fat you eat. The problem with fat is that it's calorie-dense and it clogs your arteries and coupled with starch causes bad cholesterol. Many dieticians believe it's hard to be successful in any weight loss diet by simply restricting calories. Eating less and losing excess body fat are not compatible. Low-calorie, high-carbohydrate diets generate a series of biochemical signals in your body that will take you out of the balance, making it more difficult to access and utilise stored body fat for energy.

The insulin stimulated by excess carbohydrates in Jane's body can aggressively promote the accumulation of body fat. And the higher the body's insulin levels, the more effectively it prevents fat cells from releasing their stores, and the harder it becomes for Jane to see any pay-off in her weight loss diet. Over the long haul, high insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance and cause Jane serious health problems like accelerated aging, heart disease, and diabetes. Diets high in refined sugars which Jane has cravings for release more insulin thereby allowing less stored fat to be burned. High insulin levels also suppress two important hormones: glucagon and growth hormone. Glucagon promotes the burning of fat and sugar. Growth hormone is used for muscle development and building new muscle mass. Insulin also causes hunger. As blood sugar increases following a carbohydrate meal, insulin rises with the eventual result of lower blood sugar. This results in hunger, often only a couple of hours after the meal. Yearning for sweets can become frequently part of the cycle, causing Jane to resort to bingeing on even more carbohydrates.

The learning gleaned from Jean's paradoxical eat-less-and-get-fatter situation is actually very straightforward: Our body's response to excess carbohydrates in our diet makes us fat. We have a limited capacity to store carbohydrates. Excess carbohydrates, which are fat-free, end up as excess fat in the body.

Source: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/food-label.html

R. Tan is the owner of the website http://www.benefits-of-honey.com which is a rich honey resource community specially built for all the honey lovers and fans in this world. She has packed this website with a wide range of quality contents on honey based on her knowledge and experience with honey, so as to promote its invaluable benefits which she believes could bring many positive spin-offs in everyone's daily life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruth_Tan

Look at the Evidence of how Hypnosis can Help You Lose Weight!

By Valerie Dawson

A lot of people remain skeptical about the solutions that hypnosis can offer. They know that hypnotherapists claim that their techniques can help you deal with issues like quitting smoking and losing weight but they still can’t quite accept that it could work for them.

This skepticism is generally based on the fact that people realize how hard it can be to do stuff like lose weight and quit smoking. It can be particularly hard to lose weight as it’s all too easy to fall into the yo-yo diet trap. Here you try out a new diet and lose the weight you need – then, you stop the diet and relax and the weight just comes back. Before you know it you’ll be back to square one….

But, with hypnosis this doesn’t need to happen. Many people find it hard to lose weight simply because they view food in the wrong way. They may, for example, view sweet and fatty foods as desirable because they were rewarded with these kinds of foods when they were young and behaved well. Or, they may associate the short rush you get with certain foods with feeling good so they reach for candy when they feel low or stressed.

Hypnosis can simply help you re-program the way your brain feels about food. It can stop your cravings for the wrong food types and introduce cravings for healthy food instead. It can give you the confidence to stick with a healthy eating and exercise plan and it can help you manage the issues you may have with the food you eat.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating – although maybe we should say in the not eating! Take a look at the following examples of how weight loss hypnosis has worked for people just like you….

Karen H. – Karen lost 33lb with Valerie Dawson’s program. In her own words: "The hypnosis allowed me to let go of my old reasons for eating and helped me listen to my appetite."

Mike C. – Mike lost 84lb and finally found a solution to his weight loss issues. He says: "I have been overweight for most of my adult life. I had tried virtually every diet program out there without lasting success over the past 40 years. I can say without hesitation that the hypnosis program with Valerie works."

Sandy N. – Sandy lost 25lb in just 9 weeks. She wasn’t sure whether hypnosis would work but soon changed her mind when she saw the results – "I wasn’t sure about this whole hypnosis thing in the beginning. But now I’m a believer."

Fran M. – Fran lost 30lbs and saw her basic ideas about food change radically – "I found myself reaching for an apple for a snack instead of candy. I think about food in a totally different way now."

Kelsey M. – Kelsey lost 50lb in just 5 months. She found that hypnosis gave her a far more effective solution than fad diets – "I had struggled all my life with my weight problem and had tried every diet out there with no success. The hypnosis has helped me to reprogram the way I think about food and to change my eating habits."

Valerie Dawson, MSW, CHt has been a hypnotherapist for 20 years. She enjoys helping others to modify their thinking and behavior in order to lose weight and keep it off. She offers a free CD: "7 Hidden Secrets to Losing Weight Fast and Easy" which you can order here: http://www.weightlossfreecd.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Attention Weight Loss Enthusiast - Eat, Drink, But Be Wary

By Leisa St Ledger

If only we could lose weight by not doing anything differently. Unfortunately, if we want to be slimmer and healthier, changes must be made, and one of those changes on a weight loss program is saying goodbye to the booze.

But is alcohol really that bad for weight loss? Put simply: yes, but the good news is you don't have to completely eliminate alcohol from your life.

Alcohol is high in calories, it stimulates the appetite, inhibits quality sleep and the body's ability to burn fat efficiently. It also lowers testosterone levels for up to 24 hours after your last drink. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found when eight men were given two vodkas mixed with low calorie lemonade 30 minutes apart, their body lipid oxidation (ability to burn fat) dropped by a massive 73%.

The main problem with alcohol is that most of it is converted into a substance called acetate, which the body burns instead of burning fat as an energy source.

Alcohol also stimulates the appetite, not something that is conducive to weight loss. Researchers from Denmark's Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University found a group of men who ate a meal with alcohol, consumed many more calories of food, than the group who did not have alcohol.

Alcohol also reduced testosterone levels. One heavy drinking session will raise the level of the muscle wasting hormone, cortisol, which increases the breakdown of testosterone.

One gram of alcohol is seven calories, almost as high as fat, which is nine calories a gram. When you consider a gram of protein is only four calories, it is easy to see alcohol is not very good value if you're trying to control your appetite.

If you like a tipple, it's not all bad news though.

A 2004 study in the International Journal of Obesity compared two groups of dieters over three months

Both groups were limited to 1500 calories a day. One group had 150 calories of white wine a day, the other had 150 calories of grape juice a day.

The weight loss of the two groups was 4.7kg, and 3.7kg respectively.

Another US survey found that dieters who abstained from alcohol don't necessarily lose any more weight than those who take a moderate amount.

A small amount of alcohol, particularly red wine, is excellent for lowering stress levels and preventing heart disease.

It seems the role alcohol plays in your life, whether good or bad, boils down to the amount. While a glass is good for the heart, more than two and you'll be doing yourself damage.

If you are trying to lose weight, and would like to have the odd glass of alcohol, limit your intake to one or two glasses a week.

You will also benefit by changing to a lower calorie drink, like wine, or using diet mixers rather than high sugar ones.

Mix your wine with soda water and drink a glass of water in between glasses of alcohol. If you drink to unwind, as most people do, try something else like an easy walk, some meditation, a scented bath or phone a friend if you've had a difficult day.

Confused yet? The short of it is, if you are trying to lose weight don't drink alcohol. If this is too much to bear, limit yourself to one or two drinks a week.

Instead of dwelling on something you can't have, think about your new svelte body when all your hard work has paid off, and remember - it will be worth it!

Yours in health,
Leisa St Ledger
http://www.leisassecret.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leisa_St_Ledger

The Obseity Epidemic - Do You Want You Family To Be Fat Or Fit?

By Leisa St Ledger

You would have to have been living under a rock for the past 10 years to not know Australia has a weight problem. You may be overweight yourself, or a member of your household, in fact your child may even be overweight.

The incidence of obesity in Australia is growing at a shocking rate. In a Medical Journal of Australia study in 2000, it was found that of over 11,000 people who had their measurements taken, 60% of them were overweight or obese. That's a lot of fat people.

Why is it so?

There are only two reasons why a person is overweight.

1.) They eat too much.

2.) They move too little.

The worst thing you can do is kid yourself that you have extenuating circumstances, and that neither of the above applies to you.

This is a serious matter. Fat can make your life miserable, lonely and painful. It can leave you feeling unfulfilled, and it can kill you.

Between 1981 and 2000, the incidence of diabetes doubled in Australia - that's incredible.

Our children are fat too. Currently, the most prevalent health issues affecting our children are all preventable - think about that one. They include obesity, dental disease, and emotional and behavioural problems.

Nearly 25% of children are overweight or obese with the rate rising 1% per year. By 2025, half our children will be overweight.

Why are children so fat? The same two reasons adults are. They eat too much, and they don't exercise enough. It's time to be blunt, if you're child is fat, it's most probably your fault. Children do not have access to money unless you give it to them. They do not have access to junk food - unless you give it to them.

Our modern lifestyle

The reasons why we move so little and eat so many calories are many, too many to discuss here. They include our modern sedentary lifestyle of sitting at a desk all day, getting in the car and driving home only to sit in front of the tv before we go to bed.

The Medical Journal of Australia study found a strong correlation between the number of hours spent watching tv and the rate of obesity. It was thought this may be because watching television fosters mindless and continual eating, and sparks cravings for junk food.

We have energy saving devices like remote television controls and garage doors, sometimes in the same house as treadmills and weights??

We do not see where our food comes from, and therefore we do not know what is in it. We live in a society where food is sold not only in restaurants and supermarkets but also; train stations, football games, movie theatres, even outside hardware stores.

We are bombarded with it on television, billboards in glossy magazines and junk mail. Food is big business and the cheaper it can be produced, the larger the profit margin for the companies selling it, and the poorer quality of food we are sold.

What can we do?

There is some good news, however. The Medical Journal of Australia also states that, "Maternal education is the strongest social determinant of overweight and obesity in children." In other words, mothers, and parents, have the power to make their children either healthy, happy and active, or fat and miserable.

Most importantly, parents need to lead by example. If your child sees you tucking into a packet of Tim Tams with no restraint, how will they fathom a different set of rules for themselves?

Before we talk about weight loss and what you can do to get your family back on the straight and narrow, let's talk about junk food.

What is junk food? By definition 'junk food' is food that tastes good, but is high in fat (sugar and chemicals) and has little or no nutritional value.

One of the best tips I have ever heard to jump start a healthy diet is to not eat food if you can't tell what it is made from just by looking at it. Fruit is fruit, but what do you think would be in a jar of that marshmallow stuff you spread on toast, or a Chicken-in-a-biscuit, or French onion dip?

Read the label on these highly processed foods and you will see they are packed with saturated fat, than smothered with either sugar or salty tasting msg.
Here are some tips for making your family fit, not fat.

1. Don't keep junk food in the house. Think about what you are putting in your trolley.

2. If you consider takeaway food to be a treat, have it very occasionally - once every couple of months.


3. Be prepared to cook. This is the only way you will know what you're eating. You can actually buy cookbooks which have recipes that are very fast to prepare.

4. Play games outside with your children. The benefits won't be just physical.

5. Don't reward your children with food.

6. Don't make food such a big deal in the family. Food is fuel, not a hobby.

7. Grow your own pot of tomatoes or lettuce, so your children can see where their food comes from.

8. Turn off the television. You'll be surprised and alarmed at what a loose end the family is at without the mindless sound of television in the background. This won't last for long though.

9. Pack your children's lunches. Lunch money at the average tuckshop will be too much of a temptation for them.

10. Read labels. If you can't understand what is in a product put it down. Invest in a pocket sized food additives book, now available at many supermarkets. Find out what is really in the food you're eating, and do some work on the web to find out what possible affects these additives could have. You might find you don't want them in your system.

Yours in health,
Leisa St Ledger
http://www.leisassecret.com

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Lose Weight Fast

By Jennifer Lambatan

The lemonade diet is also know as the master cleanse. This cleanse was originally created by the Nuturapath Stanley Burrough. Although you can lose tons of weight while doing this. There are so much more health benefits to consider. Here's a few.

1. You lose tons of weight quickly

2. It sets your body to a natural ph level

3. It reduce craving,

4. Remove toxin from out body

5. Clean your body digestive tract, kidney and livers.

When toxins accumulate. A number of things can occur. You might notice that your face is a little more puffy. Or that your digestive system is slowing down. These are the smaller problems. But without proper cleanse. These toxins can harm your organs and cause you your health. Don't wait until that happens.

The lemonade diets is use by many celebrity. In fact Beyonce used it and lost a lot of weight for her role in the movie "Dream girls" . The lemonade diet takes just 10 days. And most people who have done it says that they have a lot more energy. They lost a lot of weight and kept it off because they didn't crave junk food like before. And most see an improvement in their overall health.

Cleansing is so important. Many things we eat today are process and pre packaged. Our body is not made to break down the chemicals that is being put in out food. These toxins and heavy metals are causing obesity and disease. When the body is not working properly. Thats when many things goes wrong.

http://themasterclensesecret.blogspot.com

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Prescription Drugs For Weight Loss

By Stuart Ward

Most prescription drugs for weight loss work in one of two ways. They either suppress the appetite or reduce the amount of fat absorbed into the body from the foods we eat. Due to some concerns, many medical authorities only recommended their use for a maximum of two years. The primary prescription drugs for weight loss are Meridia, which will suppress the appetite, and Xenical, which reduces the amount of fat absorbed into the body by up to a third.

Although diet pills are not new they are not the preferred choice of treatment for weight loss by doctors and dieticians. A controlled diet and regular exercise are a far better option for the vast majority of persons looking to lose weight. Natural weight loss diets are considered the safest and surest way to lose weight without many uncomfortable side effects and to also prevent any unwanted weight or body fat from returning. As long as you moderately reduce your calorie and fat consumption, you do not have to follow a specific strict diet. Just think healthy eating leads to healthy lifestyle which gains a healthy body.

Apart from following a healthy diet, exercise plays an equally important role in the treatment of weight loss and should form part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise does not necessarily mean running miles every day or joining a gym. Walking, swimming, cycling or jogging all help to burn calories whilst making the heart and lungs grow stronger. Exercise will help to burn fat stores whilst invigorating the body thus helping you to feel more energized. Exercise, particularly when you begin to see results, will improve your confidence and self esteem.

Resistance training together with a healthy diet, will help to increase your BMI (body mass index) and build muscle which is associated with a higher metabolic rate. The higher your metabolism the more calories your body will consume, even when resting. I strongly believe that a healthy diet and regular strenuous exercise can deliver weight loss that is similar to, or better than using prescription drugs for weight loss. The key is to aim for a more healthy lifestyle for the benefits are worth more than any diet pill.

One important point to consider, the ingredients used in many common prescription drugs for weight loss can disrupt sleep when used long term. Obviously this can have a detrimental effect on your well-being, both mentally and physically. Certain herbs such as dandelion, nettle and green tea are excellent natural alternatives for effective healthy weight loss.

In the short term prescription drugs for weight loss may provide benefits when used properly as part of a weight management program. It's easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges of eating healthy, exercising more, managing stress, and getting enough sleep - all important factors of an effective weight loss program. The key is to aim for a healthy lifestyle for permanent results will surely follow.

To find out more about prescription drugs for weight loss, and to receive a free report on effective weight loss secrets visit http://www.Stuarts-eBooks.com/HealthAndFitness/WeightLossSecrets.html

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Get Rid of a Double Chin - Velform Process

By Chris Dreyer

You've recently come to face reality about the situation around your neck and face. You have finally admitted that you indeed have a double chin. Acceptance is the first step, now you are in the process of finding a way to deal with this new found problem. Liposuction is completely out of the question for you due to a variety of reasons. First of all, you really don't have the money to go spend on getting your double chin removed. Not to mention the pain and recovery time involved in such a procedure. You really have no desire to go through any of that when there are other ways to get rid of a double chin.

You have a feeling that many of those firming creams on the market aren't quite for you either. How about the double chin workouts or easy double chin exercises? The truth of the matter is that you have already tried them and they don't seem to be working in your case. You have put yourself on a diet and increased your exercise routine to help get rid of a few pounds here are there, you are hoping a few come out of your double chin in the process. Honestly you are looking for something that can be done right now to solve the issue of your double chin. What other products are there to help you in your time of need?

There is a product called Velform that might be the solution to your double chin needs. Velform is a little different than the exercises that are suggested for a double chin. It's basically a gel that you put on your neck and chin, and then you cover it with a supportive bandage. It is supposed to lift and resculpture your chin, leaving you with nice, taught skin, therefore taking away your unsightly double chin. Results can be seen in as little as 1 week, and dramatic results might only take a month. If you have tried everything else and have no desire to even think about having liposuction done, Velform might just be the solution you are looking for in regards to removing your double chin. Don't think that you are stuck with something that make you feel overweight or make you look older; there is a way to get rid of a double chin in a safe and effective manner.

Why should you have to be unhappy with your appearance when there are treatments such a Velform out there waiting for you to take advantage of it? Take the next step to removing your double chin. If you aren't sure, do the necessary research to make you comfortable with Velform. Try other methods to help reduce your double chin such as weight management, exercise, and good posture. If these methods only go so far, then continue on to trying out Velform in order to get rid of a double chin and help make you happy with the appearance of your body from your head to your toes.

There are many effective ways to Lose a Double Chin. You'll find out the best ways to lose a double chin when you visit this website!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Dreyer

Learn What To Eat To Lose Weight Properly And Avoid Over-Eating

By Kevin D King

There are plenty of books to advise you on what to eat to lose weight. All anybody needs to know is what to eat to lose weight. Are you confused by all of the conflicting information in the media about what to eat to lose weight and keep it off for good.

The first, and best, thing to do is to talk with your health care provider about your weight. Obesity, or being overweight, can result in premature death and can contribute to many problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, breathing problems, arthritis, and problems with pregnancy, labor and delivery. A simple change in your eating habits, as suggested previously, will go a long way into helping you lose the weight you want to lose or live the healthier life you are striving for.

One of the best ways to learn what you should eat every day on a fat loss diet is to identify which foods you shouldn't eat on a fat loss diet. But, over the years nutrition experts have steadfastly maintained that healthy weight management through diet is a matter of restricting calories, controlling portion size and balancing food groups. When done properly, a vegetarian diet will increase your energy, improve your health, and enhance all of your fitness goals.

Since we need to eat the same volume of food to feel satisfied, we must choose our foods so that we can eat the most amount for the least calories. Another option for keeping evening calorie consumption in check: Eat more at breakfast and lunch and choose a diet shake and salad for dinner instead of a full meal, always working within your calorie allowance. Limiting dinner to 4 to 5 ounces of cooked poultry, seafood, or lean meat; a medium baked or sweet potato or a 1/2-cup cooked rice or pasta; and a cup of cooked broccoli or other vegetable seems a sensible way of getting nutrients without excess calories.

When you know which products contains a high concentration of nutritious components and low calories you also know what to eat to lose weight and gain a healthy body.

Kevin King is the author and webmaster of KevinKingOnline.com For more information on the subject of weight loss, visit Top Secret Fat Loss Plan

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How to Maintain a Healthy Weight While at Work

By Heather Beaudoin

Life can be stressful enough without diet and exercise. We spend most of our lives rushing to work, spending time with friends and family, overcoming loss and financial burdens, yet somehow we are still supposed to find time to get healthy. For many of us, this is an impossible dream that would only be realistic in a movie. Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make to your lifestyle. The following tips will not only shed the pounds, but will increase your energy and make you feel great!

1. Park close to work? Try parking further away. While many try to find the closest parking spot, this doesn't do anything for our bodies. Unless the weather is the primary reason, try parking in the last row. This at least burns a few calories in the morning and when you leave at night.

2. Skip out on cafeteria lunches. Most companies specialize in fattening food and rarely offer anything nutritious. If you want weight loss, bring your own lunch and change it up! Need ideas? Hummus with pita bread, Mexican salad or even a Kashi frozen meal are great alternatives to junk food. Make it a rule not to bring the same lunch twice in a week. This will not only keep you motivated, but it will save your wallet.

3. Green tea. Instead of drinking coffee in the morning, how about green tea (Orange, Passion Fruit & Jasmine flavor)? The caffeine will keep you awake and the nutrients will boost your immune system. While moderate coffee intake is fine, green tea will speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight.

4. Exercise on your lunch break. If you bring your lunch to work, you can eat it any time while you're at your desk. If the weather is nice, why not take a walk? This will eliminate having to exercise when you return home.

5. Make Kashi a Routine. Kashi food products are one of the best food choices for weight loss. From Kashi Go Lean cereal to waffles, energy bars and desserts -- Kashi knows that you need nutritional food that still tastes delicious. It is a perfect way to maintain a healthy lifestyle yet still get the nutrients you need.

6. Snack! If you're looking to lose weight at a healthy yet fast pace, eating five meals a day will do the trick. Breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner are critical. Try bringing two snacks with you to work so that you're never hungry. This will eliminate any binges when you return from work. It will also speed up your metabolism and keep the cravings down. Kashi Cheddar crackers, yogurt with fruit or even veggies are a great alternative to chips or candy.

Heather B. is a Marketing Communications Specialist and Freelance writer located in Boston. She is dedicated to providing resources for women who want to live a healthy lifestyle, without sacrificing happiness. Visit http://www.healthhasnofury.com for weight loss tips, recipes, fitness advice and support.

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Lose Weight, Get Fit and Have More Energy

By Kevin D King

Can you financially afford high cost diet plans, expensive foods and supplements, a gym membership. You may hear of all the hype regarding the no carb diet plans and have may even seem your friends shed lots of pounds on them. Controlling the number of servings and portion sizes something many diet plans resort to, while others use other systems like the point systems. It's just that most people are clueless about the subject of "diet plans" and how to actually control their body and weight.

Diets are just simply what you eat on a regular basis. A good diet plan should give your spirit a lift and make you feel better, both physically and mentally. When selecting a meal plan, make sure you are consuming a balanced and complete diet. The best way to stay on a diet is to find healthy snacks and low-calorie diet foods you enjoy.

Weight gain occurs from fat accumulation and fluid retention caused by protein deposits in the body. It can be confusing to know who is telling the truth, who is totally basing their "fact" on studies that have never been promoted by anyone other than themselves, and who really has a handle on weight loss and general health and fitness. Weight loss plateaus are a fact of life for most dieters. Weight training will increase muscle mass, which burns more calories than body fat. Meditation helps you lose weight and feel relaxed.

Before beginning the diet and/or fitness programs described in this Website, you should consult a qualified physician, dietitian, fitness professional and/or other medical professional, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, elderly, or have any chronic or recurring conditions. Of the successful dieters, 83 percent said that they did it on their own, designing their own eating and exercising programs based on their needs and preferences.

There are numerous weight loss diet plans out there. Weight loss , diet plans, and muscle building is a great way to accomplish the body many dream about. People are willing to try gimmick diet plans, pills, and even plastic surgery for weight loss results. Lose weight, get fit, and have more energy. The bottom line is discovering a healthy lifestyle that you can implement forever is the key to long term weight loss.

Kevin King is the author and webmaster of KevinKingOnline.com. For more information on the subject of weight loss, visit Top Secret Fat Loss Plan

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