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Friday, October 8, 2010

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

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

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

Reminded of what?, you may ask.

The New Year's Resolution crowd.

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

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

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

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

The question is, will YOU be one of them?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Its all about you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't allow that to happen.

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

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

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

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

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

But what about your weight?

Your waistline?

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

How is that done?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weight Loss Tip #7: You Become Who You Hang Around

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So how can you get a grip on the situation?

One word---CONTROL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        <b>Vitamins:</b><Br>
        <ul>
        <li>Vitamin C
        <li>Vitamin E
        <li>beta carotene
        </ul>

        <b>Minerals:</b><Br>
        <ul>
        <li>Sulfur
        <li>Selenium
        </ul>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Check your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)

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

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

Find out your body mass index (BMI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<ul>
<b><li>Avoid bending over and lifting objects with your back muscles</b>

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

<b><li>Strengthen your abdominal muscles for additional back support</b>

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


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

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

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

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

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

Not too much fun though.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well here's my 2 cents on the matter:

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

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

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

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

Weight Loss Tip #2: How to Pick a Good Personal Trainer

One of the major benefits of the <B>YourBestBody<i>NOW</i> Program</b> and several other programs like it is that you can lose weight and meet your fitness and weight loss goals even if you have neither the time nor money to get a personal trainer.

At the same time, if you do ultimately decide to hire trainer at some point, I want to make sure that you are going about it in a way that will bring you the absolute maximum benefit. I wouldn't be a good fitness coach if I did anything less.


There's no doubt that getting a good personal trainer has many benefits, including but no limited to:


<ul>
<li>Speeding up the learning curve
<li>Great source of motivation
<li>Getting increased results
<li>Having a training partner to hold you accountable</li>
</ul>

At the same time, it is a HUGE mistake to simply rely on any old trainer to help you to consistently get the results that you desire. I can't tell you how many people pay tons of money for expensive personal trainers and get little to no results after months and months of working with these people.

To keep as many people as possible from this horrific fate, I've put together a little check list to help you in choosing a trainer that is worth your money, time, and efforts.

<ol>
<b><li>All trainers are not created equal, so you do the picking</b>

There are a lot of gyms and health clubs who will literally assign you a trainer when you sign up for the 1 on 1 option.  Don't fall for this. With the time, effort, and discipline that it takes to get great results for your body---even with a trainer---you want to make sure that you are getting someone that you are going to be both happy and comfortable with.

You will want to meet several trainers, and may even want to ask a couple of them for a trial session to get a feel for their coaching style, depth of knowledge, and motivational skills. It also would not be a bad idea to talk to some of the members of the gym who are already in great shape and ask them which trainer or trainers they think knows what he or she is doing. You'll
be surprised at the quality of information that you will get.


<b><li>Don't Listen to a trainer who does not look
any better than you do</b>

I literally gasp for air everytime I walk into a gym and see a trainer with a
client and noticing that the trainer is in no better---if not <i>worse</i> shape than the person who is paying them to improve their health and physique.

I mean really, do the math on this one. How can someone who has not achieved what you want to accomplish possibly help you how to get there?

You wouldn't take investment advice from someone who was broke; you
wouldn't pay for piano lessons from somoene who's tone def; and you certainly wouldn't ask for tutoring from the class dunce and then pay him to do it. So why in the world would you pay someone to help you have the body
you want who has not already accomplished it for themself?


<b><li>One Size Does Not Fit All</b>

Just like you tend to wear clothes that compliment your particular body composition, there are numerous aspects of working out and dieting that will cater to making the best out of your very unique body type and its characteristics.

Make sure that whatever trainer you use is not only knowledgeable of this fact but makes it a part of your program to evaluate specifically what should be done to best enhance <i>your</i> body type, not someone else's.

<b><li>Expect the Unmagical</b>

Rome was not built in a day, and neither will your best physique be. It is not what you do in spurts, but what you do consistently or a long period of time that determines what your body will look like and how well it will function.

Hiring a personal trainer may slightly accelerate your results, and will most definitely focus them. Nevertheless, a trainer is not the end-all to your development, and getting what you want out of this will take just as much if not more work than you would have to put out anyway.

Think of your trainer as a guide and a coach---not the silver bullet to <i>Your Best Body</i> in 30 days or less.  Just know that as long as you are <I>consistent</i>, your results will gradually take care of themselves.

<b><li>Be a Good Student</b>

Once you've picked a good personal trainer who you feel comfortable with and confident in, LISTEN to them! Make sure to really take advantage of not only the precious time that you have with them during your workouts but also to their wealth of knowledge regarding your health and fitness that you can apply to your life outside of the gym.

Many of the information and techniques that you learn from a good trainer can serve you well for much of your life as you constantly improve your overall health and well being.
</ol>

Whether you are a fitness newbie, or a seasoned exercise buff looking to take your workout program to the next level, a well selected personal trainer can be a HUGE benefit to the attainment of your fitness goals. Just make sure that you are shrewd in your selection of them and that you sponge all of the good information that you can for yourself. If you truly take on the task of doing it right, I assure you that you won't regret it.

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

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

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

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

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

1)Genetic Factors
2)Psychological Factors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The importance of the effect that your outlook on your results cannot be ignored. <b>To put it plainly, your out<i>LOOK</i> directly affects your out<i>PUT</i>.</b>

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

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

<ol>
<b><li>Self Acceptance</b>

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

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

<b><li>Find the Keys to Your Own Motivation</b>

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

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

And there are tons more.

<b><li>Setting Attainable Goals after You've Gotten #1 and #2 Firmly Under Your Belt</b>

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

<b><li>Drown Yourself in Those Things that Motivate You</b>

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

<b><li>Maintain Your Progress by Making Fitness a Lifestyle</b>

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

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

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

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole<bR>
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach<br>
<a href="http://www.yourbestbodynow.com">See this Weight Loss Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com</a>

Weight Loss through Foods that Fight Fat

Some foods can magically melt pounds, and that train of thought has been around for a long time.  While exercise and a variety of wholesome foods help will help you lose weight, there are foods that burn calories and suppress hunger. Listed below are a variety of foods that will help speed your metabolism and therefore burn fat.

Foods such as raw spinach contain bulk.  Therefore, the space they leave in your stomach - partly because of their high water content -leaves less room for pastries and ice cream.  They are also jammed with iron, foliate, calcium and vitamins A., B, C, and E that helps you to lose weight.

Grape fruits help you lose weight fast.  They are not magic, but they are powerful fat fighters due to their fiber content.  In addition, without added sugar, a grapefruit has fewer calories than an orange of the same weight.

Apples keep the doctors away and fat. Eating several apples a day is a great way to lose weight.  Hard fruits like apples take time to chew and fill you up.

You burn more calories chewing and digesting celery than it actually contains.  Celery has vitamins E and C.  It is a diet food that also helps you lose weight and should be on everyone's plate.

Protein packed legumes such as black beans, chickpeas, lentils are not just low in fat and rich in soluble fiber, they digest slowly and keep blood sugar levels steady.  You will not feel like eating for a while.

Calcium rich foods and drink such as low fat milk can boost metabolism.  It has been found that women and girls who consume dairy products regularly tend to lose weight easily and have less body fat than those who do not.

The omega-3 in fatty fish, such as mackerel can curb overeating. The protein mixed with the fat in fish is also known to curb your eating.

You can eat all the strawberries you want and can never gain a pound.  Strawberries, peaches, plums, and grapes come with cancer fighting carotenoids and appetite-suppressing fiber.  Eating these types of fruits daily will help you lose weight fast.

Above are just some examples of foods that burn fat. Disciplining yourself to eat a proper diet and the right exercise program will help you reach your idea weight in no time.

Weight loss techniques

People gain weight when the number of calories they eat is more than the number of calories their bodies use. Overweight people have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. Your doctor can help you set rational goals based on a proper weight for your height, build and age. Usually, doctors will recommend that their overweight patients combine a reduction of the caloric content of the diet, with an increase in physical activity. Other methods of losing weight include use of drugs and supplements that decrease appetite, block fat absorption, or reduce stomach volume. Surgery is another method. Weight-loss programs should encourage healthy behaviors that help you lose weight and that you can stick with in your every day activity. It is very desirable for you to gather as much information as you can before deciding to join a particular program. You may start to benefit from regular physical activity. Even modest amounts of physical action can improve your health. Start with small, specific goals such as walking 10 minutes a day, 3 days a week. When you eat out and are on the go it’s important to make smart food choices and watch portion sizes. When you prepare food at home read the nutrition label on foods. Look for foods low in saturated fats and trans fats. Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars (caloric sweeteners). Variety in the diet helps you get all the vitamins and other nutrients you need. Look for a weight loss program that gives you some control, rather than imposing one rigid system, one that offers a variety of different eating plans, so you can choose the one that's best for you. Prescription diet pills may help some people. If you use them, follow the doctor's directions carefully. Other method of weight reduction technique is the use of diet patches.

Weight Loss Survey: Why Dieters Fail To Lose Weight

Current levels of overweight and obesity, together with weight-related disease, have made weight control a major health priority throughout America. Yet statistics indicate that average weight reduction on conventional diets adds up to a mere 5-8 pounds per year. So why do we find dieting so difficult? According to a new survey(1), the answer seems to be: because we make 3 crucial mistakes. We don't have a good enough incentive; we allow ourselves to go hungry; and we can't cope with "bad days".

The weight loss survey conducted by annecollins.com asked dieters to select the three biggest problems they faced when dieting. The most common problems reported were: "Inadequate incentive to lose weight" (76%); "Hunger" (72%); and "Bad days" (70%). Although these results will come as no surprise to most dieters, they highlight the importance of motivation in the dieting process. We examine how these problems occur, and what steps can be taken to overcome them.

<b>Why Do We Need an Incentive?</b>
We gain weight because we take in more energy than we use. Either because we eat too many calories, or burn too few, or both. So if we want to reduce weight, we need to improve our eating and exercise habits. And this is not easy, because let's face it - old habits are not easily discarded, especially if they involve cutting out our favorite treats. We need a powerful incentive to help us change. Specifically, we need an answer to the question: "How exactly will I benefit from losing weight?"

When faced with this question, many dieters have no answer. Those who do, typically reply: "I'll feel better" or "my health will improve". Others explain they are trying to lose weight to please their doctor, or their partner, or simply because they are "overweight". Unfortunately, none of these reasons are strong enough to help us succeed. So when temptation strikes, we are unable to resist.

<b>What Type of Incentive is Best?</b>
Our motivation to lose weight must be based on a selfish, specific benefit. A good example might be an upcoming beach holiday, or a family occasion, or the achievement of a specific mobility or fitness goal. It must be as specific as possible (general benefits are useless) and ideally related to a fixed date. In addition, it must be selfish.  Losing weight to please others rarely works. The advice I give to my clients is very simple. Do not bother dieting unless you have a good incentive. Because no matter how good the diet, no matter how valuable the exercise plan, unless you have a powerful reason to change your habits you won't succeed.

<b>Hunger Kills Diets</b>
Most dieters are still convinced that calories are their enemy. So the less they eat, the faster they are likely to lose weight. This is not true. In reality, the less we eat, the more hungry we get and the easier it is to fall into temptation. The human body is trained to eat when hungry and no amount of willpower will neutralize this basic urge. This is why binge eating is such a common response to low calorie diets.

<b>How to Avoid Hunger</b>
No rocket science here. Avoiding hunger simply means eating regularly throughout the day, and keeping your calorie intake above 1000-1200 per day. This prevents hunger, thus reducing the urge to overeat, and in addition helps to maintain a regular high level of calorie-burning.

<b>Eat Too Much Rather Than Too Little</b>
We all have days when we feel extra hungry, even when we are dieting. This is no problem - simply eat more! It is always better to eat a little too much than not enough. Might this delay your weight loss? Yes. But so what? Taking a few extra days to achieve your goal is not a problem. The real danger is not eating enough and ending up hungry and depressed. This is a recipe for a binge.

<b>Bad Days and The Problem of Perfection</b>
No dieter is perfect. The truth is, all dieters experience "bad days" or fall into occasional temptation. Sadly, most dieters insist on "being perfect". They cannot tolerate these lapses. So if (say) they visit a friend and end up eating 2 containers of ice cream and a box of cookies, they go to pieces. "I'm useless!" they cry. "I'm a failure!" Overwhelmed by guilt at not being perfect, they then quit their diet in disgust.

<b>It's the Guilt That Does the Damage</b>
In this situation, the actual binge is typically fairly harmless. I mean, we need to eat a huge quantity of food (3500+ calories) to gain even one pound of weight. The real damage is caused by the ensuing guilt. And this is what we need to address.

<b>Guilt Comes From Trying to Be Perfect</b>
All dieters make mistakes and this is perfectly normal. Having an occasional binge is no cause for alarm, far less guilt. Even my most successful clients - those who have lost 100+ pounds - had regular lapses. The difference is, they didn't see themselves as "perfect" individuals. So they felt "entitled" to make occasional mistakes, and so should you. Once you accept this, you will find dieting a whole lot easier.

<b>We Need Support to Make These Changes</b>
In order to overcome the 3 problems described above, an essential first step is to find proper support. This is just as important as choosing the right diet plan, because no matter how good the diet, it can't motivate you to stay on track - only people can do this. Dieting is ten times easier when you receive encouragement from others. So when choosing an online weight loss program, choose one with an active forum. Because at the end of the day, it's all about people. When we are alone and isolated, the smallest obstacle can seem like a mountain. But when we have people behind us, anything is possible.

<b>Notes:</b>
1. Weight Loss Survey (Oct 2005) by annecollins.com. A total of 17,403 subjects replied to the survey. They were asked to choose 3 from a list of 10 diet-problems. The results were as follows:
(1) Inadequate Incentive (76%).
(2) Hunger (72%).
(3) Bad Days (70%).
(4) Boredom (69%).
(5) Stress (60%).
(6) Interference From Others (51%).
(7) Too Much Eating Out (32%).
(8) Eating on The Run (28%).
(9) Ill-health (5%).
(10) Lack of Sleep (1%).

Weight Loss Surgery Risks And Benefits

There is an increasing focus on weight loss in North America in the modern age, and the focus goes beyond mere looks. More and more studies are proving that being overweight not only looks unpleasant, but can also lead to some serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and other factors which can lead to an early death.

Many obese people, however, face a serious problem when they begin to consider weight loss; they have become so overweight that their bodies simply cannot handle diets, nor can they summon the ability to partake in regular exercise. In most cases, the weight problem has become so critical that they do not really even have the time it takes to bring their weight down to a healthy level as they are in immediate danger of serious health consequences.

Lately, many people in this situation have begun to turn to the option of gastric bypass surgery. Over 150,000 gastric bypass procedures- wherein calorie intake is reduced by causing food to bypass parts of the stomach and the small intestine- were performed in 2005, many on the recommendation by a doctor for people who were considered morbidly obese.

One of the benefits of this procedure is that it is 100% effective when successful. Patients frequently state that they do not get hungry as often as they did before the surgery, nor does the hunger last as long. Patients also claim that they do not suffer the same cravings for unhealthy food that they did before the surgery. These effects are due to two factors. The first is the decreased size of the stomach- patients simply cannot hold food in the same capacity as they did previously. In addition, the smaller size means that the stomach is empty less than before the surgery and therefore does not signal the brain that food is needed.

The second reason for the decrease in appetite and cravings is the change in the hormonal balance that occurs after the surgery.

Gastric bypass is certainly beneficial in both time passed in regards to pounds lost and in the ease of the weight loss itself. However, there are also several risks involved when a patient elects to undergo the surgery.

Almost ten percent of patients who undergo the surgery report symptoms that could prove fatal some of the time. The surgery has been highly invasive in the past, with a large incision required form the upper chest to the navel. Any procedure involves risk, and the greater the cut the greater the risk. In addition, this large incision meant that a patient’s recovery time was greater, and also more painful.

Many of the risks of gastric bypass surgery are being eliminated with advancing research and procedures, such as the new laparoscopic bypass. Electing for this surgery will also entail a period of “dumping” time, in which a patient can expect to have recurring nausea, diarrhea, and an intolerance to sweets that may last for the rest of their lives.

The greatest risk in undergoing the gastric bypass surgery is the same as any surgery, especially those that are gaining popular attention; the risk of undereducated operators. Some studies have shown that the risk of death after gastric bypass is much higher in patients who go to surgeons with less experience in and knowledge of the procedure. The popularity of the procedure means that there are more doctors trying to make a quick dollar off of a limited knowledge, so any patient considering the surgery needs to be aware of their surgeon’s credentials and background.

Weight Loss Surgery Has Become A Necessary Step

Often you may find that weight loss surgery has become a necessary step after you reach a weight that is more than one hundred pounds your normal weight. You may have tried to lose weight via alternative methods, diet, medication, exercise and even hypnotism but to no avail.

There may be major or simple problems that are keeping you from properly losing weight and no matter how complicated you find that you’ve reached the point where weight loss surgery is an option. Of course there may have been a genetic tendency keeping you from losing weight. The ‘fat’ gene is commonly known about these days and is responsible for hindering many people from living a healthy life. One could also say its in our instinctive nature to eat in preparation for hard times. Or you may have a co-morbidity factor.

A co-morbidity factor is often a medical condition that keeps you from being active enough to keep up your metabolism and energy usage. Plus if you tend to be more sedentary you while tend to be bored more often and eat out of boredom. A co-morbidity can be a heart condition, asthma, or maybe a painful leg injury.

Once the co-morbidity factor gets you down and packing on more weight you may begging to develop other health problems that simply contribute to the obesity problem, these can also be asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and pain. As you can see this becomes a rapidly cyclical and debilitating problem, which weight loss surgery offers to halt, by causing you to loss weight rapidly. As you lose weight your obesity related health problems may disappear or ease to a manageable point and you will find that its easier to move around.

Hopefully you will also be able to address the original co-morbidity factor will medication or medical treatment or in the time since you developed it, it may have healed.

Weight Loss Surgery: What Are The Options?

To understand how surgical procedures aid the grossly overweight person to reduce their body fat, it helps to first understand the digestive process that is responsible for handling the food we take in.

Once food is chewed and swallowed, it’s on its way through the digestive tract, where enzymes and digestive juices will break it down and allow our systems to absorb the nutrients and calories. In the stomach, which can hold up to three pints of material, the breakdown continues with the help of strong acids. From there it moves into the duodenum, and the digestive process speeds up through the addition of bile and pancreatic juices. It’s here, that our body absorbs the majority of iron and calcium in the foods we eat. The final part of the digestive process takes place in the 20 feet of small intestine, the jejunum and the ileum, where calorie and nutrient absorption is completed, and any unused particles of food are then shunted into the large intestine for elimination.

Weight loss procedures involve bypassing, or in some way circumventing the full digestive process. They range from simple reduction of the amount you can eat, to major bypasses in the digestive tract. To qualify for many of these surgeries, a person must be termed “morbidly obese”, that is, weighing at least 100 lbs. over the appropriate weight for their height and general body structure.

Gastric Bypass

In the mid 1960s, Dr. Edward E. Mason discovered that women who had undergone partial stomach removal as the result of peptic ulcers, failed to gain weight afterwards. From this observation, grew the trial use of stapling across the top of the stomach, to reduce its actual capacity to about three tablespoons. The stomach filled quickly, and eventually emptied into the lower portion, completing the digestive process in the normal way. Over the years, the surgery evolved into what is now known as the Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass. Instead of partitioning the stomach, it is divided and separated from the rest, with staples. The small intestine is then cut at approximately 18” below the stomach, and attached to the “new”, small stomach. Smaller meals are then eaten, and the digested food moves directly into the lower part of the bowel. As weight loss surgeries are viewed overall, this is considered one of the safest, offering long-term management of obesity.

Gastric Banding

A procedure that produces basically the same results as the stomach stapling/bypass, and is also classed as a “restrictive” surgery. The first operations, involved a non-flexing band placed around the upper part of the stomach, below the esophagus, creating an hourglass shaped stomach, the upper portion being reduced to the same 3-6 ounce capacity. As technologies advanced, the band became more flexible, incorporating an inflatable balloon, which when triggered by a reservoir placed in the abdomen, was capable of inflating to cut down the size of the stoma, or deflating to enlarge it. Laparoscopic surgery means smaller scars, and less invasion of the digestive tract.

Biliopancreatic Diversion

A combination of the gastric bypass, and Roux-en-y re-structuring, that bypasses a significant section of the small intestine, thereby creating the probability of malabsorption. The stomach is reduced in size, and an extended Roux-en-y anastomosis is attached to the smaller stomach, and lower down on the small intestine than is normal. This permits the patient to eat larger amounts, but still achieve weight loss through malabsorption. Professor Nicola Scopinaro, University of Genoa, Italy, developed the technique, and last year published the first long-term results. They showed an average 72% loss of excess body weight, maintained over 18 years, the best long-term results of any bariatric surgical procedure, to date. BPD patients require lifelong follow-ups to monitor calcium and vitamin intake. The advantages of being able to eat more and still lose weight, are countered by loose or foul smelling stools, flatus, stomal ulcers, and possible protein malnutrition.

Jejuno-Ileal Bypass

One of the first weight loss procedures for the grossly obese, was developed in the 1960s, a strictly malabsorptive method of reducing weight, and preventing gain. The jejuno-ileal bypass reduced the lower digestive tract to a mere 18” of small intestine, from the natural 20 feet, a critical difference when it came to absorption of calories and nutrients. In the end-to-end method, the upper intestine was severed below the stomach, and re-attached to the small intestine much lower down, which had also been severed, thereby “cutting out”, the majority of the intestine. Malabsorption of carbohydrate, protein, lipids, minerals and vitamins, led to a variation, the end-to-side bypass, which took the end of the upper portion, and attached it to the side of the lower portion, without severing at that point. Reflux of bowel contents into the non-functioning upper portion of small bowel, resulted in more absorption of essential nutrients, but also less weight loss, and increased weight gain, post-surgery. As a result of the bypass, fatty acids are dumped in the colon, producing an irritation that causes water and electrolytes to flood the bowel, ending in chronic diarrhea. The bile salt pool necessary to keeping cholesterol in solution is reduced by malabsorption and loss through stool. As a consequence, cholesterol concentration in the gall bladder rises, increasing the risk of stones. Multiple vitamin losses are a major concern, and may result in bone thinning, pain and fractures. Approximately one third of patients experience an adjustment in the size and thickness of the remaining active small intestine, which increases the absorption of nutrients, and balances out the weight loss. However, over the long term, all patients undergoing this bypass are susceptible to hepatic cirrhosis. In the early 1980s, one study showed that approximately 20% of those who had undergone JIB, required conversion to another bypass alternative. The procedure has since been largely abandoned, as having too many risk factors.

While surgical methods of reducing weight are valuable to the morbidly obese, they are not without risks. Patients may require more bed rest post-surgery, resulting in an increased chance of blood clots. Pain may also cause reduced depth of breathing, and complications such as pneumonia.

Before undergoing any fat/weight reduction surgery, a severely overweight person needs to thoroughly understand the benefits and risks, and must make a commitment to their future health. Having a smaller stomach is not going to stop the chronic sugar-snacker, from “grazing” on high calorie sweets. Nor does a steady supply of pop, concentrated sweet juices and milk shakes, reduce the calorie intake. With some bypass surgeries, certain foods can aggravate side-effects that need not be that severe, if common sense diets are adhered to. Surgery can be a “shortcut” to weight loss, but it can also reduce your enjoyment of life, if you are unable to adhere to the regimens that go with it.

Weight Loss Surgery, Is It A Safe Option?

For the growing number of obese individuals, weight loss surgery is a reality that must at some point become a real consideration and alternative. Today, in the United States, obesity is quickly becoming our nations’ number one health issue. The staggering affect of obesity on the rest of our health is unequaled. This is due to the fact that when our bodies our obese, every part of the body is affected. Not just the limbs, not just the heart, but every organ, tissue and cell.

There are many advances being made in the treatment of obesity, and the option that most people look to solve the initial obesity dilemma is surgery. Once your body reaches a certain weight, you’re no longer able to exercise; performing simple hygiene tasks often becomes impossible. Exercise and mobility are not options for bringing about weight loss. The only other alternative available is through surgical procedures that cause the body to take in less food. The procedures actually prohibit the ingestion of large quantities of food. You simply won’t be able to eat. This causes the body to begin to feed on itself. Using up the stored fat, in order to keep body processes functioning. This is a drastic way to induce weight loss, but for many it has become the only option

But is this safe? Does this allow our bodies to safely lose weight and come back to normal levels of body mass? Sometimes it is safe, and sometimes a person’s body just cannot adjust. The medical profession continues to work diligently to ensure that all weight loss surgery patients are safe from deathly side effects, but it does happen. No surgery is fool proof, every time you must submit to surgery, of any kind, there are risks. The risks associated with weight loss surgery are often less dangerous than the risk associated with continued obesity, especially for persons who have reached the morbid obesity levels (More than 100 pounds over the recommended body weight).

The traditional options available today are minimally invasive surgeries that directly restrict the body’s ability to take in food or slow the food absorption rate. Both surgeries are minimally invasive, meaning there is no need for major incisions, and most of the surgery is completed using laparoscopic technique. If the United States continues to see obesity rates climb, these surgeries and other techniques under development will become more commonplace for our generation.

Weight loss surgeries are not a cure. . . but a tool

Weight loss surgeries are not a cure for obesity. Infact you only have a few years to enjoy the sole benefits of weight loss surgeries.

Permanent weight loss is not assured through weight loss surgeries; rather it is about a change in lifestyle. Obviously weight loss surgeries do not constitute a lifestyle change.

Types of weight loss surgeries:

There are basically three types of weight loss surgery procedures;
(i)    Restrictive weight loss surgery
(ii)    Mal-absorptive weight loss surgery
(iii)    Restrictive and mal-absorptive (Combined) weight loss surgery.

Restrictive weight loss surgeries are procedures that reduces the size of the stomach such that you are forced to eat less by restricting the amount of food you stomach can hold at a time hence the term restrictive surgery. This is usually done in two main ways, either using staples or using a band.

Both procedures reduce the size of the effective stomach by creating a small pouch out of the main stomach using either the band or staples.

Mal-absorptive weight loss surgeries on the other hand donot limit food intake. It inhibits absorption of calories. The procedures involve eliminating a substantial length of small intestines from coming in contact with the digested food.

The logic behind mal-absorptive surgeries are that though one may eat a lot of calories, fewer calories are absorbed into the blood stream due to a significantly shorter small intestines, the site for nutrient and calorie absorption.

Combined weight loss surgeries are a hybrid of the other two procedures. It has become more common as it is found to be more effective to restrict both calorie intake and absorption.

According to American Society of Bariatric Surgery, about 170,000 people in the year 2005 had weight loss surgeries. Most of these procedures were dome on adults 65 yrs old and younger who had been immobilized by their weigh and related medical conditions.

Weight Loss Surgeries are an extreme support structure:

It is important that weight loss surgeries is understood. They are not a cure for obesity they probably will never be. The only known cure for obesity is a change in lifestyle to a healthy diet and increased physical activities.

As so appropriately suggested by surgeon Harvey Sugerman professor emeritus of Virginia Commonwealth University and a past president of American Society of Biatric Surgery, weight loss surgery “is a tool”. Indeed it is an extreme tool only for extreme cases.

Among the top 4 reasons you fail in losing weight is lack of weight loss support structures. Weight loss surgeries are support structures. Weight loss support structures are physical means that are designed to aid your physiology as well as psychology in the pursuit to lose weight healthily and safely.Among the characteristics that weight loss surgeries exhibits support include the fact that weight loss surgery jump stars weight loss.

This is a similar characteristic you will find in a liquid diet or an appetite suppressing weight loss pill. Both can be used under a watchful eye to assist in losing weight. Similarly weight loss surgeries should be handled as weight loss support structure. They are not a cure.

Weight Loss Support Is Critical

<b>Introduction</b><br>

Losing weight is not rocket science. It requires no special diet, no special foods and no special exercise program. All we need to do is eat less calories than we burn. Despite this, as well as an ever growing number of diets and weight control plans, obesity continues to grow. And the vast majority of dieters find it almost impossible to lose weight without regaining everything within a matter of months. Why is this? Answer: because we don't get enough support.

<b>Get Proper Help To Lose Weight</b>

Our greatest need when dieting is encouragement. We need people to cheer our successes and help us overcome our disasters. Amazingly, most online weight loss programs fail to address this need. Instead, they focus on what we should eat, how many calories we should consume, and what exercise we should take. And while this advice is useful, it's not critical. Because most of us know this stuff already. What we have difficulty with, is motivation. We know what to do in order to lose weight, but we can't sustain it. Maybe we lack a strong incentive, or perhaps our family situation interferes with our weight loss plans, or maybe we hate cooking and eat out too often. Whatever difficulty we have, it's not likely to involve food or exercise. It's much more likely to be a motivational or lifestyle problem. Yet as I say, most online programs don't offer motivational or lifestyle support. And even when they do, their advice can often be expensive and quite uninspiring!

<b>Survey Of Dieters</b>

The value of proper support was highlighted in a recent survey of members of Anne Collins online weight loss program. The program includes a 24/7 community forum specializing in motivation and lifestyle support, with several thousand topics and approximately 100,000 posts. Subjects were asked to assess the personal benefit they had obtained from the forum. A total of 1,348 subjects responded, of whom 81 percent rated the program's community forum as "important" or "very important" in helping them to lose weight, while less than 5 percent said it "made no difference." While in no way conclusive, the results indicate the practical value of a "community" approach to weight management.

<b>Weight Loss Meetings</b>

For urban dieters, Weight Watchers is probably the best option. Their meetings are specially designed to help dieters overcome difficulties, but even Weight Watchers has its limitations. First, it's not cheap to join. Secondly, members typically attend only once a week. So if your diet-wagon loses a wheel on Saturday night, you may have to wait several days for the next meeting to help you out. Like eDiets, Weight Watchers now offers an online service, but again - at something like $250-300 a year - it's not cheap.

<b>Not Easy To Change Habits</b>

Changing our eating habits is no easy matter. Sure, it helps to know that a cup of fat-free milk contains 40 percent fewer calories and 16 times less fat than whole milk, or that lean ground steak contains half the calories and 4 times less fat than regular cheddar cheese, but how does this help us to say No to a second helping of pizza? How does it quench our desire for a double cheeseburger and fries? It doesn't. Because facing down temptation requires a change of attitude, a change of priorities. And in my experience, this takes time and as much encouragement as we can get. We need to hear from people like us who have managed to change their attitude and eating habits, and who can explain how to overcome the problems involved. Above all, we need a safety-net if we fail. We need shoulders to cry on and "tough love" to help us win through. In short, we need the support of a real community.

<b>Join An Online Community Forum</b>

In my experience, dieters who join a good online community forum can expect to lose 400-500 percent more weight than those who go solo. In addition, if they maintain their community membership after achieving their goals, they have an excellent chance of maintaining their weight loss indefinitely. This is because an online community can provide a number of specific benefits. First, as stated, it offers personal advice and encouragement. Secondly, it offers members the opportunity to help other people - something that typically works wonders for their self-esteem and understanding. Thirdly, most community forums are self-run. Members may progress to become moderators or resident experts. This too is a real confidence booster as well as a great incentive to maintain weight lost. But by far the major benefit is the fact that online forums are in action 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So support and human warmth is available whenever you need it. They are real 24/7 safety nets, especially Anne Collins forum which has members from all time zones of the world.

<b>Features To Look For</b>

The best forums are active, well-managed and provide quality advice and support. Activity is best judged by checking the number of "active" members, rather than total membership. And the greater the number of recent threads (topics) and posts (messages), the better. Assessing the management and quality of the forum is a bit more difficult. To do this, open a recent thread, scan the posts and look for the following. First, how quickly do members and/or moderators reply to questions asked? Second, are the questions and answers reasonably serious, or more frivolous? Generally, a well-managed forum will have a higher percentage of serious posts. Other questions to ask yourself include: how "personal" does the forum appear to be? Do you feel a sense of warmth and caring? What age-groups are most active? Take a good look around, and don't hurry. Finding the right forum for yourself is crucial to your weight loss success.

<b>Summary: Focus On What Matters</b>

The secret of successful weight loss is to focus on what matters. So don't waste too much time or money trying to find the "perfect" diet. I mean no disrespect to any dietitian or nutritionist but, for most people, a diet is a diet is a diet. As long as it's reasonably balanced and includes a reasonable number of calories, it'll do fine. What really matters is support - to help you cope with temptation and disruption during your journey. An excellent option is to join an online weight loss forum and be part of a real community. Because when you have tons of friendly people cheering you on, you can move mountains.

Weight loss supplements buying tips

American spends $50 billion every year on weight loss programs and diet pills. Unfortunately, 22% of this goes to fake weight loss products.

More and more people are facing the problem of obesity and a lot of them are resorting to weight loss supplements. While some people have benefited from these supplements, there are still a lot of people who are clueless on what type to buy. In the end, they are left frustrated without loosing a single pound.

Worry no more! Here are some proven tips to help out weight losers wannabes when buying diet pills in the market:

1. Before buying diet supplement, consult a doctor. There are weight loss supplements that are available only by prescription. Do not forget to tell the doctor about allergies to certain medication and health history.

2. For over the counter supplements, decide what kind to buy. There are numerous types available in the market today. Some are appetite suppressants while some help the body to absorb fat. Also, do not forget to check the ingredients and carefully read the labels to avoid serious side effects like high blood and heart valve lesions. Also, make sure it will not react negatively on any other medications that are currently being taken. It would also help to have it checked by the doctor before taking it.

3. Keep in mind that all weigh loss supplements, even those that are prescribed by doctors, carry risks. It is for this reason that all instructions must be followed carefully and religiously. Stop taking the supplements if unusual symptoms are being noticed.

4. Choose diet pills that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration agency of FDA. These products are monitored and carry minimum risks.

5. Beware of over the counter diet pills that contain Ma Huang. This is a strong stimulant that has been associated with death especially among professional athletes.

6. When purchasing online, make sure that all the weight loss supplements are sealed. Do not accept bottles that were tampered with.

7. Remember that dietary products that promise quick weight loss usually do not have the approval of FDA. Most of these products have severe side effects that lead to drastic weight loss.

8. Research the internet for diet pills that are proven to have side effects. For example, a Brazilian diet pill was recently sold in USA that contains drugs and chemicals like antidepressants, tranquilizers, and amphetamines. This pill was advertised as all natural but was proven dangerous to health.

9. Never buy Ephedra based supplements; they are deeply associated with strokes and death.

10. Look for supplements that contain essential nutrients like Omega fatty acids, B12, calcium, and liver oils which are very important especially to women.

11. Buy products that are endorsed or recommended by health professionals or body builders.

12. Do not depend on weight loss supplement alone. Eat healthy and exercise. Try working out in the gym for at least 3 times a week and get incredible results!

Weight loss supplements have been in the market for sometime now but their effects in the long run has not yet proven. People who are serious about losing weight must aid supplements with exercise and well balanced diet. This is the most effective way in shedding pounds the healthy way.

Weight Loss Success Results from Finding the Right Balance of Calories and Exercise

Weight loss is not just about changing what you eat, it's also about adding more exercise activities during your week.

We need to change our eating habits, to stop eating the junk foods and highly processed foods and replace them with good, healthy foods.  You need to eat foods that supply you with all the nutrients that are required to keep our bodies healthy. 

Before making any changes, I recommend that you start a food and activity journal. In this, you not only write down what you eat, but where, when, and what you were feeling at the time. This will help you will see what triggers your hunger and what satisfies your appetite. What foods do you routinely shop for? What snacks do you keep in the pantry?

Once you start to see patterns in your journal, you're ready to start taking action. But keep in mind that deciding to reduce the calories, fat, saturated fat, and sugar in your diet is a big step, and trying to do that at the same time you endeavour to make a drastic change in your physical activity level, may be biting off too much change at one time. Which, sadly, can set you up for failure.  Instead of trying to make all the changes at once, I recommend that you set smaller, more realistic goals for yourself and plan to add in a new challenge each week.

Don't plan to starve yourself, either. This won't help you lose weight. It's much better to eat small, regular meals five or six times a day, so that the body never feels threatened and tempted to hold on to its fat stores.  Eating regular meals also helps to maintain your blood sugar at a constant level so that you don't start craving sugary food when your blood sugar levels drop.

Adding fibre to your diet -- such as whole grain cereals, legumes (lentils and beans), vegetables, and fruits -- can help you feel full with fewer calories. 

Another great tip: Prepare your meals and snacks at home. This is a great way to save money, eat healthy, and spend time with your family.  When preparing meals, choose low-fat/low-calorie versions of your favorite foods.

Snacks can comprise simple of a piece of fresh fruit, cut raw vegetables, or a container of low-fat yogurt. These are portable and an excellent choice to tide you over until mealtimes. Take these snacks with you for a healthy alternative to chips, cookies, or candy.

As I mentioned earlier, weight loss success also requires that you increase your physical activity.  Aim for at least 30 minutes (adults) or 60 minutes (children) of moderate intensity activity for at least three or more days a week.  If you are just starting to be physically active, remember that even small increases provide health benefits. Check with your physician first, and then start with a few minutes of activity a day and gradually increase, working your way up to 30 minutes. If you already achieve 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a day, you can gain even more health benefits by increasing the amount of time that you are physically active or by taking part in more vigorous-intensity activities.

The balance of calories consumed against your activity level will either cause weight loss or gain. The more calories you eat, the more physical you need to be.  For example for every 100 calories you consume and not burn a day, you will gain about 1 pound in a month. That's about 10 pounds in a year. The bottom line is that to lose weight, you must reduce your calories and increase your physical activity.

Weight Loss Strategies

If you want any weight loss program to work you have to perform "Strength Training". It's absolutely imperative during the course of a lifetime not only for weight loss goals but also for general health and well-being.

For years we have been told to diet the excess fat from our bodies and throw in some fast walking to hasten the process. The trouble with this is that the low calorie restricted diet would throw the body into starvation mode, with the body
holding onto the fat and using precious lean muscle tissue for energy.

This would "Lower Your Metabolism" causing greater muscle loss and once the diet was broken the original fat returned, and you would have greater chance of gaining even more fat.

                    
                                              "A Vicious Cycle"


Eventually, your body would become used to the diet and then you will reach a point where nothing was happening.

So what do you do now?

Try weight loss supplements, creams, massage, toning tables, drugs. You should know by now that these don't work.

There is a better way, it's simply...

                            
                                             "Strength Training"


Many studies are showing that Strength Training is a superior method for weight loss.

(Ladies, you won't bulk up by using weights, you don't have the testosterone to get big and muscular, so don't worry).

If you don't incorporate Strength Training into your weight loss program then look forward to "disappointing results".

The days of strength training three to five days a week in the gym, an hour at a time are long gone. That just doesn't work. One short strength-training workout a week done at home or in the gym will melt away more fat than you would have ever thought possible.



Fats, Figures and Cardio Work

We've already found out that by increasing the functional muscle on your body, you increase your resting metabolic rate. Due to the HIGHER metabolic rate you can now eat MORE calories, which means that you won't need to starve anymore to lose weight.

In a sense, fewer calories have to be cut back from our daily intake of food and successful dieting (provided that you eat the right foods) will become more likely.

As far as Fats are concerned, they're burned from the body when cells oxidize to release energy in the form of exercise. When exercise is done slowly to moderately for 20 to 30 minutes, then the majority of energy is TAKEN from the fat stores.

It's important to understand that the loss of fat comes from fat cells ALL OVER the body, NOT just from one or more specific areas. Therefore, fat reduction of a certain area is not generally possible.

The best exercise for the purpose of fat loss is fast walking either indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. Walk until you are mildly puffing and hold that rate for the allotted time.

If your cardio activities leave you panting or breathless ~ you are going too hard. Your energy will be then coming from your carbohydrate reserves and not from your fat stores.


Nutrition For Weight Loss

Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle and energy levels. Foods with vital vitamin and mineral supplements should also be taken on a daily basis.

By decreasing the amount of calories you eat per day to the weight loss amount, you should start losing weight. Don't go any lower and check the mirror regularly to judge your progress.

If you don't have an accurate idea of how many calories your consuming a day, how will you know whether you’re overeating or not?

Another word about diets... They'll send the body into starvation mode; a survival mechanism from long ago when humans faced periods of famine. Cutting back on your calories too low will cause the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces
its ability to burn fat.

At the same time, hunger signals increase and we quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar. The same foods we are trying to do without.

Here are some great eating tips for you to consider:

&#61623; Reduce both obvious and hidden fats.

&#61623; Record food intake to identify problem areas.

&#61623; Be aware of times when you over eat.

&#61623; Avoid severe food restriction.

&#61623; Monitor body fat levels, not weight.

&#61623; Aim for moderate fat loss (one pound per week)

Weight Loss Starts in Your Head!

Are you a 'look-and-lose' dieter? Have you studied every diet ever created, read a zillion diet books, and yet are still unhappy with your weight? Has your quest for the holy grail of dieting become a substitute for actually making changes required to take the ill health out of your current diet? If so, you may not realise your thoughts are key to your happiness and success.

Do you look at yourself and say, "I'm fat", or "My hips are too big"? Many of us look in the mirror and immediately compare ourselves to those 'perfect' human specimens we see every single day on TV, in magazines and in the newspapers.

Often we talk to ourself and make excuses, "It's my genes", "I'm much too busy to get fit", "I like myself this", as a way of protecting yourself from the way we see ourselves now and the way we want to be.

If we were to be truly honest with ourselves most people actually want to lose a few pounds - if we only knew how.

The good news is you CAN achieve your desired body shape with the right thinking about yourself, an understanding of how to get optimal nutrition, healthy eating habits and how to incorporate activity into your lifestyle to keep your muscles toned.

But most important of all, you need a regular mental workout to keep your self-image in shape.

Self-image is closely connected to the success or failure of any goal you choose to seek after, but none more so that the goal to get yourself fit and healthy.

So how do you go about strengthening your self-image? Well fortunately your self-image, just like your muscles, will respond well to a regular work out. You can actually strengthen your self-image with a few daily exercises.

<b>Exercise One - Self Examination</b>

Start by compiling a list of all those negative thoughts your have about yourself…I'm undisciplined, I can't manage my time, I let people down, I can't succeed, I don't exercise enough. You will need to decide before you start this process that you won't get discouraged….these are things that you will admit to yourself but they most certainly don't have to control your life.

Next, compile a second list including everything you LIKE about yourself. Keep going until this list is LONGER than the first list you compiled. You might include things such as, I am a good cook, I can make people laugh, I contribute to the soccer club, my daughter loves the way I decorate her room.

Then, take your 'negatives' list and turn it into your 'potentials' list. You do this by creating a positive self-image to every 'negative' you listed. Instead of "I can't succeed", write a counter belief, "I will succeed".

Ceremonially throw out the 'negatives' list - you are saying goodbye forever! Burn them, trash them, destroy them….they are no longer going to be a part of your thinking about yourself.

Now, keep your list of potentials in a prominent place. On your refrigerator door, in your daily journal, or in a picture frame on your desk. Make sure you have them in front on your every single day so that you are reading them constantly and reprogramming your daily thoughts.

<b>Exercise Two: You Can Be What You Want to Be</b>

Now that you have your list of potentials… run your own visualisation stories so that you can 'see' yourself in a new light. For example, if your list of potential includes "I eat just the right portions", visualise yourself with a moderate portion on your plate, and feeling completely satisfied at the conclusion of your meal.

Read through your list of potentials every day taking a few moments of personal quiet time to reflect strongly on your visualisations. Try starting your day first thing in the morning and finishing as the last thing at night with visualising yourself being the person on your list, and doing the things you want to do.

<b>Exercise Three: Keep a Journal of Your Daily Successes</b>

Keep a record of all the positive changes in thoughts you have about yourself. We all have triumphs and 'failures'. You must record and remind yourself of the positive changes because our human nature will replay the negatives - sometimes blowing them out of proportion. It's important to nurture and celebrate the small steps you make every day.

<b>Exercise Four: Go Easy On Yourself - You Are Beautiful Work In Progress</b>

Don't listen to the criticism…not your own nor that of others! Remember you are the designer of your self-esteem, do not hand this over to other people. You are way too important to give this away. Protect your role as creator of your own self-image and do not, take on board negative criticisms. We all make mistakes, and mistakes can be used to help us learn. Do not criticise yourself for being human and making a mistake. The only last mistake in the one from which we never learn to grow.

</b>Exercise Five: Forget About The Past</b>

The only moment you can live is the current one. You can't live in the future and you most certainly shouldn't live in the past….the challenge is to take charge of our thinking so that we think in the same time zone in which we live!

For example we may be tempted to think about yesterday's failures…"If only I hadn't eaten second helpings", "If only I didn't reach for the chocolate cookies". If we concentrate on the mistakes of yesterday this will our brains to replay our failures and reinforce them to us.

Yesterday is over, today is where you live….make sure that today you do NOT replay yesterday's failures and make your resolve to change TODAY.

<b>Exercise Six: Resolve to Change Today</b>

Just as you shouldn't live in the past, you can't live in the future. You can only live or change today. The oldest cliché in the world is perhaps one of the greatest truisms of all…'tomorrow NEVER comes!'

There is no better time than now. So, no matter what excuses you may have to wait to take those healthy steps you know you should take, none of them are valid. Do it now, do it today. Resolve to make a different in your own life before you go to sleep tonight.

<b>Exercise Seven: Write a Plan For your Life</b>

This is your success plan. If you have not already done so it is time for you to create direction and purpose in your plans for yourself. Review your list of potentials and record next to each potential when you want to achieve this by.

Exercise Eight: Carry Affirmation Cards About Yourself

This is one of the fastest tools for your success. You are what you think. Strengthen your self-image every day by reviewing your thoughts. One of the easiest ways to do this is to carry affirmation cards in your wallet and review regularly. Affirmation cards are short bursts of words in business card that prompt and remind your self-image of your intentions. An example might be:

    * I can achieve anything that I put my mind to.

    * I will be satisfied with single helpings.

Try it, you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain!

<b>Exercise Nine: Change Your Eating Habits</b>

Now that you have set the groundwork in place, you are now ready to change your physical habits. You are ready to add a balanced nutritious diet, healthy eating habits, regular exercise and relaxation.

By using these nine exercises daily to change your thinking habits, you will be strengthening your self esteem and unlocking your internal power to make a change in your life. Before you can change lifelong eating habits, you must first change life long thinking habits. We are what we think. We can't be something other than what we believe we can be!

So, do yourself a favour, liberate your self-image and then, see how much more effective your healthy living plan becomes!

Weight Loss Secrets Your Trainer Doesn't Want You to Know

People today are highly concerned with their bodies and their health so it is no surprise that more and more people are hiring personal trainers to help them lose weight and get in shape. For the most part, this is a good thing. It’s great to see people taking a positive step towards weight loss and a healthy future.

However, do you really need a trainer? There are some people out there that can greatly benefit from the regular expertise of a personal trainer. There are many other people who could likely do it just fine on their own if they would only set their mind to it. The trainer merely serves as a person to answer to; the person you are paying to kick you in the tushie when you don’t get moving!

It’s true that your trainer knows a lot about helping you get in shape and lose weight to be a healthier and more beautiful you. So what are some big secrets your trainer doesn’t want you to know?

1. You don’t have to “feel the burn”. We’ve all heard the phrase “no pain, no gain”. You may have even chanted it a few times yourself during your workout but one thing your trainer might not want you to know is that working harder and pushing further won’t help you lose weight if you are injured.  Remember, for beginners, slow and steady wins the race!

2. You do not have to give up junk food entirely. Trainers have a habit of blacklisting certain foods that just might happen to be your favorite. There is good reason for this. Most people that are overweight may already have a problem with saying no to food. However, cutting out a favorite treat altogether can lead to serious cravings and secret binges. It’s okay to have a little chocolate or a soda now and then – just learn how to pace yourself and keep it to a minimum. Be sure you never use the food item as a “reward”.  (As a side note, in most states, trainers cannot give nutritional advice unless they are a registered dietician.)

3. You don’t need a routine to burn calories. Trainers train you to focus on a set, regular weight loss and exercise routine because that is the best way to get you in the habit of exercising and to push you to do what you need to do to burn calories. However, you can just as easily burn calories and get the exercise you need in your regular daily activities. There are many healthy habits that can be incorporated into your daily activity that do not require a gym, or a trainer.

4. Losing weight is often simply about forming better habits. You need better and healthier eating habits, sleeping habits and exercise habits. Forming these habits will help you lose weight and keep it off- without needing a trainer!

If you are using a trainer, keep in mind that you should feel comfortable with the trainer that you are working with. It should be someone not only knowledgeable but also someone that cares about you and your needs. Remember, you should work together as a team with your health as the common goal.

Weight Loss Secrets You Already Know

Weight Loss dreams in the spring are as predictable as April showers. Those who have put on a few extra holiday and winter pounds realize the annual bikini season is almost upon us and have a fear of having to bear it all at the beach. Without the ability of having to drown their sorrows in food (which pretty much put them in this banana boat anyway) weight loss hopefuls look for ways to make the weight magically disappear.

Weight loss season is the start of a whole new holiday season for retailers. Books about the newest weight loss fads fly off the shelves. Diet pills and diet pill supplements sell out at the pharmacy. Health and fitness magazines like Shape and Prevention start to outsell the ever popular celebrity weeklies.

The most astonishing part of this whole phenomenon is that weight loss hopefuls seek answers to a question that they already know the answer to. Like the exasperated parent, who must repeat things just one more time, I will give you the not so secret secrets to weight loss. It will not cost you a penny at the pharmacy or the bookstore, it is absolutely free.

Weight Loss Secret #1

Lay off the ice cream, cookie dough, deep fried Twinkies, well you get the point. It is not just the sweets but they are a big culprit. In general you need to burn more calories than you are taking in. Cookies and the like are really high in calories. Try choosing foods with fewer calories, the fewer calories you take in the less you have to burn.

Foods like lean meats and vegetables are low in fat and calories. So have the broccoli (without the melted cheese of course), Make a nice big salad your best friend. Salad will never steer you wrong unlike fair-weather friends fat and grease.

Weight Loss Secret #2

Move away from the keyboard. I repeat, move away from the keyboard. You will never, ever be able to burn the desired amount of calories by surfing the net and instant messaging.

There are quite a few ways to get moving. Clean the house mow the lawn, its spring so start spring cleaning. A better idea is to take the kids to the park and enjoy the weather. Get into it, jump rope, play baseball maybe a little catch. Don’t be bothered by the heavy breathing and wheezing. This will subside after you’ve done it a few times.

You don’t have kids? Take the dog to the park and play Frisbee. Don’t have a dog? Borrow a friend’s for the day. If that doesn’t work out go to the park and play with the pigeons. They love to run and exercise and there are always plenty of them around in the park to play with.

Another solution is to do what millions of other people do. Go to the one place that is bearable for only 2-3 months of the year – the gym. There, while working out you can and will meet those just as reluctant to be there as you and together you can commiserate on the cruel twist of genetic fate that has brought you to such a pass. The exercise will do you good. You’ll make new friends and start to feel better. An added bonus is that walking up long flights of stairs will no longer be such a chore.

So there you have it the not so secret secrets to weight loss. Read the article, follow my tips, they will work of course. Tuck this article away until you need some inspiration again. See you next spring.

Weight Loss Secrets Revealed

When people lose weight, everyone wants to know their secret. Now, you too can have the secrets to safe, healthy weight loss without the hunger pains.

Here’s the scenario. You run into Megan. She’s an old college friend. You know the one. She was pudgy and wore loose shirts and blue jeans to camouflage the extra weight she often put on because of her fondness for Twinkies. You stop and do a double take. Is that really Megan? The face is basically the same, but the body definitely isn’t. Gone are the baggy clothes. She’s dressed in a form-fitting skirt and top that hug every curve. She looks fantastic. What’s your first question going to be?

“Megan, what are your weight loss secrets?”

It’s a question we ask of anyone who has undergone a total body transformation. We feel that little twinge of envy if we are wanting to lose weight to. There is nothing we’d rather know than weight loss secrets that could speed up the process, making it easier for us to lose weight and look and feel better about ourselves.

What if I told you that I could give you two weight loss secrets destined to change your life? If you’re a realist, you’d probably tell me that I was full of hot air. You may even tell me you’d heard plenty of weight loss secrets and none of them had done a thing to help you in your quest. I’m here to tell you today that I have two points to make that could jumpstart your weight loss.

Probably the most important of the weight loss secrets is something you probably already know but may have forgotten. It’s that to lose weight, you must cut calories. I know, this is common knowledge, but people seem to forget it sometimes. So many individuals worry about counting carbohydrates or fat grams, forgetting the whole scientific process behind losing weight. A calorie is a unit of the amount of energy in food. One calorie of grapefruit is burned off in the same way as one calorie of pizza. One of the best weight loss secrets is learning how to practice moderation. Overindulging means packing on more weight because your body takes in too many calories.

The second weight loss secret I want to disclose to you is the key to unlocking the first one. Sure, you know cutting calories is the most important of weight loss secrets, but the problem is that it’s hard to do. When you’re hungry, you want to eat! Sometimes, you don’t want to munch on a celery stick or an apple. You want something that leaves you satisfied. Now, you’re in luck. You don’t have to pop a diet pill to feel “full” and curb hunger pains. The new discovery of an African cactus-style plant has totally changed the way you have to view weight loss. Hoodia Gordonii is one of the newest weight loss secrets available to aid you on your quest for the perfect figure.

While many companies claim to have weight loss secrets guaranteed to help you lose weight, these ideas often pose health risks. Hoodia Gordonii is 100% safe. This vegetable actually tricks your brain into thinking you’ve already eaten. You feel satisfied, you’re not hungry, and you cut your calories easily as you watch the pounds melt away.

Combining Hoodia Gordonii with a low calorie diet will enable you to achieve the weight loss results you only dreamed of. Say goodbye to the extra weight and watch yourself evolve into the person you’ve always wanted to be!

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