Convenience, ease and the efficiency of Treadmills have made them a revelation in the health industry. We have gone through such a variety of fitness exercises which either break your back trying to get them right, or are too difficult to master, let alone do them every day. But with a treadmill, you can burn calories the simplest was possible, by walking or running. Which, by the way, are the two most natural exercises you can imagine! You walk when you are a 2 year old, some even before that, and yet when it comes to exercising people turn to complex gym routines and diets to stay fit!
Work schedules, personal security, weather and health status; all make us reluctant to go out doors for walks on a regular basis. So it isn't a surprise that even the world's most advanced societies are facing health dilemmas. People in general don't have time for gym workouts, and those who do are too exhausted by long work days to do them. As for recommenders of walking as an exercise, Treadmills not only make exercise easier, they cut out the obtrusive factors which hinder us in forming routines.
In addition to providing some very helpful bits of information along the way, treadmills provide a wide variety of exercise options. From walking to hill climbing, jogging to running, you can pace yourself as you like so there is something for everyone in the use of treadmills. However, with the market being so overcrowded with a wide range of treadmills, we see a need for guidance in making the best choices for you.
At the moment there are three distinct types of treadmills available on the market. So to pick out the best treadmill for you, let's have a quick look at what each one of them has to offer.
First up is the Manual Treadmill; you don't have to be a fitness guru to understand that a manual treadmill is non-motorized. It's a simple machine with a belt and rollers that you move with your effort. The simpler a machine, the fewer are the chances of things going wrong with it. So that's a positive feature; it will last longer. However, since the treadmill's belt doesn't move itself you can set your own pace, which is not so good for the lazy people who are unlikely to push themselves.
Next, there is the Motorized Treadmill with features to set the pace of your walk, jog or run. You can set your required pace and keep up with it over a period of time to get optimum exercise out of the time you spend on it. Then there are the 'incline' options in some motorized treadmills; these can help you decide the amount of incline you want for your run. The negatives go with the positives though, it's a complicated piece of equipment and when it has problems they are complicated as well. Plus a motorized treadmill is going to be more expensive, compared to a manual treadmill, but with those features, you have to decide for what you want.
Now you can't say you don't have space for a treadmill; Foldable Treadmills have made that excuse redundant. Foldable treadmills can be stored in a negligible amount of space. These are great for use in the office or at home, whenever you take a break. So, if you are facing schedule constraints, or are just too lazy to take up regular exercise, then a foldable option might just be the best treadmill for you.
Frankly speaking, there is no hard and fast rule to determine which type of treadmill is better than the other. Though a comparison of treadmill features does help you decide which one is the best for you. Keep in mind, the treadmill that suits a friend perfectly isn't certain to be even rated as 'decent' for you. So read up some treadmill reviews and choose according to your own situation.
A top factor that will affect your choice would be your personal age and weight. Though some might say that exercise is necessary for everyone, but the mode of exercise has to differ accordingly with the individual traits. A bulky person may need a wider belt or the handlebars may obstruct the usual path of the arm movement, so check the details before you buy. Age matters when you choose as well, especially for older people, the resilience of the deck and the heart rate control are very important. Safety features help every age so make sure that you don't compromise on those. Similarly, whether you opt for running or walking determines not only the top speed you need from your treadmill, but also the size of the belt as well.
You look for a treadmill when you are conscious that you need to improve on your fitness levels. However, your aspirations determine the sort of treadmill you need. If you want to burn as much as you can in good time, trying out the incline options isn't a bad idea at all. Again heart rate interactive checks are very handy to get you to your optimum fitness levels without doing damage to your body. 'Who will be using it?' is just as important as 'how will you use it?', if you buy a treadmill while targeting the fitness improvement of your whole family, then keep in mind any inhibitions that might stop a member from utilizing the treadmill to the full. Chances are if you are willing to spend enough, there will be a treadmill that will suit a diverse group of individuals like a glove!
Long or short workouts determine the quality of motor you need for your treadmill. If you use the treadmill in short bursts the 'peak duty' might not be as useless as you first thought. It can be maintained for a short period of time by the treadmill so perhaps that restriction can help keep your treadmill's price down
How much do you use it? The amount of workout that is likely to be done on your treadmill should affect your choice of equipment. The more you want to use it, the more we would recommend that you go for high quality treadmills. Repairs will even out the price difference between cheap treadmills and high-end treadmills when you compare them in the long run. Consequently, it would be advisable to go for the higher priced quality treadmill rather than a cheap treadmill that would spend more time with the repairman than it does with you!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Buying a Discount Treadmill – Is it Really a Bargain?
Have you ever noticed how many treadmills are being sold at a discount prices? Of course, that is part of commercialism. For example, when was the last time you paid list price for a car or jewelry?
What motivated me to write this article is the fact that “Discount Treadmill” is a very popular search term. People are looking to get the best deal possible when they purchase a treadmill. That makes sense, since even a moderate priced treadmill can run from $1,000 - $2,000. So how do you tell when a treadmill is being sold at a discount?
First, by comparative shopping. You find a particular model that satisfies your needs and you shop around. Depending on the quality of the treadmill, you compare prices at the various mass retailers, large sporting goods stores, specialty fitness stores and online.
In addition, you look for special offers like free shipping, added accessories and extended warranties. Regarding shipping, some businesses may drop off a treadmill on your curve, while others will bring it into your house, set it up and remove the packaging. Considering the weight of some models, that can add considerable value.
Discounts from Buying Online More and more people are going online to purchase a treadmill. Are they really saving money? Yes and no. Yes, you can save money from not having to pay sales tax if you purchase from a business that is not located in your state. You can also find discounts online that are better deals than you would find in retail stores. Also, several manufacturers sell direct on the Internet, thus cutting out the middleman.
In contrast the large sporting goods stores generally sell for the same price online as they do in their store. Furthermore, many treadmill manufacturers set a minimum price that any and all dealers cannot go under, regardless whether they sell online and off.
Discount Prices vs MSRP Regarding the manufacturers suggested retail price, that is a number that has nothing to do with reality. It is deliberately inflated in an attempt to make the real selling price less intimidating. Both manufacturers and retailers play serious games with their prices.
For example, one online retailer that sells private labeled treadmills lists the MSRP at double the real selling price. They attempt to suggest you are saving as much as 50%. But in realty their private label treadmill is sold for the same price as the manufacturer’s models. Another popular treadmill sold online promotes discounts at 15%-40% off.
With all this slight of hand with prices how do you determine the real value? First, you decide how you are going to use the treadmill, and determine what features would satisfy your fitness goals. For example, if you plan to use the treadmill for walking and want the machine to last for more than 90 days, you want certain minimal features. If you plan to use it for running, than you need upgraded features. Here are some of the features you want to compare: In addition, you want to compare the warranties. The warranty says a lot about the overall quality of the machine and the components. You also want to research the reputation of the manufacturer. You want to buy from a company that is synonymous with quality. You also want to do business with a company that stands behind their treadmills.
When buying a treadmill do not get caught up in marketing hype of discount prices. Instead look for the best value in your price range.
What motivated me to write this article is the fact that “Discount Treadmill” is a very popular search term. People are looking to get the best deal possible when they purchase a treadmill. That makes sense, since even a moderate priced treadmill can run from $1,000 - $2,000. So how do you tell when a treadmill is being sold at a discount?
First, by comparative shopping. You find a particular model that satisfies your needs and you shop around. Depending on the quality of the treadmill, you compare prices at the various mass retailers, large sporting goods stores, specialty fitness stores and online.
In addition, you look for special offers like free shipping, added accessories and extended warranties. Regarding shipping, some businesses may drop off a treadmill on your curve, while others will bring it into your house, set it up and remove the packaging. Considering the weight of some models, that can add considerable value.
Discounts from Buying Online More and more people are going online to purchase a treadmill. Are they really saving money? Yes and no. Yes, you can save money from not having to pay sales tax if you purchase from a business that is not located in your state. You can also find discounts online that are better deals than you would find in retail stores. Also, several manufacturers sell direct on the Internet, thus cutting out the middleman.
In contrast the large sporting goods stores generally sell for the same price online as they do in their store. Furthermore, many treadmill manufacturers set a minimum price that any and all dealers cannot go under, regardless whether they sell online and off.
Discount Prices vs MSRP Regarding the manufacturers suggested retail price, that is a number that has nothing to do with reality. It is deliberately inflated in an attempt to make the real selling price less intimidating. Both manufacturers and retailers play serious games with their prices.
For example, one online retailer that sells private labeled treadmills lists the MSRP at double the real selling price. They attempt to suggest you are saving as much as 50%. But in realty their private label treadmill is sold for the same price as the manufacturer’s models. Another popular treadmill sold online promotes discounts at 15%-40% off.
With all this slight of hand with prices how do you determine the real value? First, you decide how you are going to use the treadmill, and determine what features would satisfy your fitness goals. For example, if you plan to use the treadmill for walking and want the machine to last for more than 90 days, you want certain minimal features. If you plan to use it for running, than you need upgraded features. Here are some of the features you want to compare: In addition, you want to compare the warranties. The warranty says a lot about the overall quality of the machine and the components. You also want to research the reputation of the manufacturer. You want to buy from a company that is synonymous with quality. You also want to do business with a company that stands behind their treadmills.
When buying a treadmill do not get caught up in marketing hype of discount prices. Instead look for the best value in your price range.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
5 Healthy Tips To Weight Loss
The world is fascinated with weight loss, some for health reasons and others for cosmetic. No matter the reason, many people try harsh diets that never work, extreme exercise regimens that result in injuries or other weight loss program that end without success. The reason that none of these weight loss methods seem to work is because in order to stay with a program, you have to enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well.
Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days, whatever it may be, and see if you have results. If not, move on to something else. In the meantime, check out several tips to getting started today.
Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.
Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike. With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.
Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.
Tip # 4
You don’t necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may. For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.
Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it. Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.
This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.
Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days, whatever it may be, and see if you have results. If not, move on to something else. In the meantime, check out several tips to getting started today.
Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.
Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike. With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.
Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.
Tip # 4
You don’t necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may. For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.
Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it. Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.
This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
3 Choices To Help You Lose Weight
1. The Weight Loss Patch
Perhaps the most appealing benefit of using a patch is that it is so easy to use. No pills to remember to take, no special diets, no required exercise routine. Naturally, sticking to a healthy diet and exercise program is best for your overall health, but if that is difficult for you to adhere to all of the time, the patch may be a solution that works for you.
A weight loss patch that you place on your body will deliver the active ingredients by transdermal delivery, meaning through the skin. The patch ingredients will go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. Simply apply the patch to a smooth area of your skin and change it every 3 days. That is all of the maintenance that is required.
A patch can even be used occasionally when you are traveling and know you will be eating out a lot, or for those times you are too busy to cook the proper foods. A patch that suppresses your appetite will help you develop good eating habits that will help you maintain your ideal weight in the future ~ no more yo-yo figures.
2. Appetite Suppressant Pills
Curbing your appetite to stop the influx of calories in the first place seems to be the logical way to lose and maintain your weight. However, we are so bombarded by confusing claims everywhere for appetite suppressant pills ~ in print, on the radio, on television, even on billboards when driving, that it is difficult to know which diet pill will really help take off those pounds ~ and keep them off..
Some diet pills will cause your heart to race, your hands to shake, or an overall "wired" feeling. To avoid these problem, stay away from products that contain Ephedra, Ma Huang, and Ephedrine.
One herbal diet pill that has gotten a lot of publicity lately is Hoodia Gordonii The authentic plant comes from the Kalahari desert in South Aftrica. Respectable television shows like 60 Minutes, the Today Show, BBC, and even Oprah's "O" magazine have given it rave reviews for its fast acting appetite suppressing qualities. While it can take one to two weeks to work fully, many users report a decline in their appetite with the first pill.
In fact, Hoodia has had so many positive reports that there are now a lot of knock-off products being marketed to the uninformed ~ especially on the Internet. The real Hoodia is very rare because it takes up to 7 years for the Hoodia plant to mature to a point where it provides appetite suppressant qualities. In addition, the African government is now limiting the amount of Hoodia it exports, meaning only a few suppliers have the real thing. Because Hoodia is so rare, you can expect it to be a little more expensive than other diet pills.
Another diet pill that helps shed pounds is Herbal Phentermine. This is a non-prescription appetite suppressant that is scientifically designed to produce similar effects of a popular Rx version of phentermine.
The good news is that the Herbal version contains only natural ingredients so you don't have to be worried about side effects. Plus, you can avoid the time, expense, and embarrassment of a doctor's visit.
Herbal Phentermine will not only suppress your appetite, but it will also increase your metabolism so you burn more calories and have more energy.
3). Carbohydrate Blockers
Perhaps you prefer not to have your appetite suppressed, but instead would like to eat all of the pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes you want. If this sounds more like your style, then you might want to try a carbohydrate blocker.
Scientists have discovered, and thoroughly tested a method to allow us to eat the foods we love and not gain weight. We can now stop the normal conversion of starchy foods to sugar before it can pass through our digestive system and store as fat on our hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. Derived from white kidney beans, the resulting carb blockers, (starch neutralizers), are a completely natural product. They work by neutralizing the Alpha amylase enzyme that digests starch.
By neutralizing this digestive enzyme, the starch from our food does not get digested. Instead, it remains intact and does not convert to sugar. It simply passes through the body undigested and acts as a fiber ~ which is a very good thing. We get more fiber going through our intestines while avoiding the conversion to sugar and the resulting fat storage ~ a definite win-win situation.
Over the past several years, there have been many positive studies to determine the effectiveness of carb blockers and their ability to help lose weight. One study was performed at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, over an eight week time period.
It reported that participants saw an average weight loss of 200% more than those taking a placebo, and lost an average of 1.5 inches around their waists. This was 43 % more than those taking the placebo. Plus they reported having 13% more energy, even though it is not a stimulant.
Whether you choose patches or pills, prefer to eat starchy foods, or use carb blockers, some things to look for when buying diet products are that they:
1) Contain all natural ingredients
2) Do not have harmful side effects
3) Offer a 100% money back guarantee
Perhaps the most appealing benefit of using a patch is that it is so easy to use. No pills to remember to take, no special diets, no required exercise routine. Naturally, sticking to a healthy diet and exercise program is best for your overall health, but if that is difficult for you to adhere to all of the time, the patch may be a solution that works for you.
A weight loss patch that you place on your body will deliver the active ingredients by transdermal delivery, meaning through the skin. The patch ingredients will go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. Simply apply the patch to a smooth area of your skin and change it every 3 days. That is all of the maintenance that is required.
A patch can even be used occasionally when you are traveling and know you will be eating out a lot, or for those times you are too busy to cook the proper foods. A patch that suppresses your appetite will help you develop good eating habits that will help you maintain your ideal weight in the future ~ no more yo-yo figures.
2. Appetite Suppressant Pills
Curbing your appetite to stop the influx of calories in the first place seems to be the logical way to lose and maintain your weight. However, we are so bombarded by confusing claims everywhere for appetite suppressant pills ~ in print, on the radio, on television, even on billboards when driving, that it is difficult to know which diet pill will really help take off those pounds ~ and keep them off..
Some diet pills will cause your heart to race, your hands to shake, or an overall "wired" feeling. To avoid these problem, stay away from products that contain Ephedra, Ma Huang, and Ephedrine.
One herbal diet pill that has gotten a lot of publicity lately is Hoodia Gordonii The authentic plant comes from the Kalahari desert in South Aftrica. Respectable television shows like 60 Minutes, the Today Show, BBC, and even Oprah's "O" magazine have given it rave reviews for its fast acting appetite suppressing qualities. While it can take one to two weeks to work fully, many users report a decline in their appetite with the first pill.
In fact, Hoodia has had so many positive reports that there are now a lot of knock-off products being marketed to the uninformed ~ especially on the Internet. The real Hoodia is very rare because it takes up to 7 years for the Hoodia plant to mature to a point where it provides appetite suppressant qualities. In addition, the African government is now limiting the amount of Hoodia it exports, meaning only a few suppliers have the real thing. Because Hoodia is so rare, you can expect it to be a little more expensive than other diet pills.
Another diet pill that helps shed pounds is Herbal Phentermine. This is a non-prescription appetite suppressant that is scientifically designed to produce similar effects of a popular Rx version of phentermine.
The good news is that the Herbal version contains only natural ingredients so you don't have to be worried about side effects. Plus, you can avoid the time, expense, and embarrassment of a doctor's visit.
Herbal Phentermine will not only suppress your appetite, but it will also increase your metabolism so you burn more calories and have more energy.
3). Carbohydrate Blockers
Perhaps you prefer not to have your appetite suppressed, but instead would like to eat all of the pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes you want. If this sounds more like your style, then you might want to try a carbohydrate blocker.
Scientists have discovered, and thoroughly tested a method to allow us to eat the foods we love and not gain weight. We can now stop the normal conversion of starchy foods to sugar before it can pass through our digestive system and store as fat on our hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. Derived from white kidney beans, the resulting carb blockers, (starch neutralizers), are a completely natural product. They work by neutralizing the Alpha amylase enzyme that digests starch.
By neutralizing this digestive enzyme, the starch from our food does not get digested. Instead, it remains intact and does not convert to sugar. It simply passes through the body undigested and acts as a fiber ~ which is a very good thing. We get more fiber going through our intestines while avoiding the conversion to sugar and the resulting fat storage ~ a definite win-win situation.
Over the past several years, there have been many positive studies to determine the effectiveness of carb blockers and their ability to help lose weight. One study was performed at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, over an eight week time period.
It reported that participants saw an average weight loss of 200% more than those taking a placebo, and lost an average of 1.5 inches around their waists. This was 43 % more than those taking the placebo. Plus they reported having 13% more energy, even though it is not a stimulant.
Whether you choose patches or pills, prefer to eat starchy foods, or use carb blockers, some things to look for when buying diet products are that they:
1) Contain all natural ingredients
2) Do not have harmful side effects
3) Offer a 100% money back guarantee
Monday, March 22, 2010
5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Metabolism
#1 Don’t Skip Breakfast
The morning meal jump starts your metabolism and helps to prevent bingeing later in the day. A cup of coffee does not count – the caffeine and added sugar may give you a bit of energy and suppress your appetite for a little while it is sure to back fire into severe hunger and you will be more likely to overeat later. Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain (granola or oatmeal), along with some protein and fat (low-fat yogurt or milk), will keep your energy levels even and hunger in check.
#2 Eat more often
Get into the habit of eating every three to four hours or at least four times a day. Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar, when blood sugar drops too low you want to eat…a lot. By keeping your blood sugar stable you can control your appetite and keep you metabolic rate high. When you go many hours without eating your body will compensate by slowing down to conserve energy…this effect hurts your weight loss efforts.
#3 Eat protein at every meal
Protein will help to reduce your appetite, it takes more energy and time to digest, in effect you feel full longer than eating carbohydrates alone. Research shows that eating more protein can help you lose weight without cutting calories. Try these protein possibilities: turkey on whole wheat; hummus and pita; vegetarian chili; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars that contain 12 or more grams of protein.
#4 Hold off on snacking
Many of us grab a snack for quick energy when we are feeling tired. But do not confuse true hunger with fatigue. If you are feeling tired go for a 15-20 minute brisk walk. This will raise your heart rate and give you a boost of energy. Follow it up with a large glass of cool water. If you are truly hungry have a protein and complex carbohydrate rich snack like; whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or cheese.
#5 Consume enough for your body’s needs
Eating too little slows your body’s metabolism the same way eating to infrequently does. If you want to lose weight, do not slash your calories too drastically. Instead, cut out some of the extras in your diet – things like soda, juice, packaged goods or candy. Processed foods tend to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
The morning meal jump starts your metabolism and helps to prevent bingeing later in the day. A cup of coffee does not count – the caffeine and added sugar may give you a bit of energy and suppress your appetite for a little while it is sure to back fire into severe hunger and you will be more likely to overeat later. Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain (granola or oatmeal), along with some protein and fat (low-fat yogurt or milk), will keep your energy levels even and hunger in check.
#2 Eat more often
Get into the habit of eating every three to four hours or at least four times a day. Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar, when blood sugar drops too low you want to eat…a lot. By keeping your blood sugar stable you can control your appetite and keep you metabolic rate high. When you go many hours without eating your body will compensate by slowing down to conserve energy…this effect hurts your weight loss efforts.
#3 Eat protein at every meal
Protein will help to reduce your appetite, it takes more energy and time to digest, in effect you feel full longer than eating carbohydrates alone. Research shows that eating more protein can help you lose weight without cutting calories. Try these protein possibilities: turkey on whole wheat; hummus and pita; vegetarian chili; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars that contain 12 or more grams of protein.
#4 Hold off on snacking
Many of us grab a snack for quick energy when we are feeling tired. But do not confuse true hunger with fatigue. If you are feeling tired go for a 15-20 minute brisk walk. This will raise your heart rate and give you a boost of energy. Follow it up with a large glass of cool water. If you are truly hungry have a protein and complex carbohydrate rich snack like; whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or cheese.
#5 Consume enough for your body’s needs
Eating too little slows your body’s metabolism the same way eating to infrequently does. If you want to lose weight, do not slash your calories too drastically. Instead, cut out some of the extras in your diet – things like soda, juice, packaged goods or candy. Processed foods tend to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
5 Best Ways To Lose Weight
When you are dealing with a phenomenon as diverse as human beings, it is very difficult to create rules which will work equally well for everyone. Nevertheless, there are some characteristics shared by all human beings, and this means that some basic principles can be developed. Here are five proven techniques to help you lose weight.
Best Way 1
The most fundamental strategy of successful weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. You shouldn't find it difficult to apply this in some aspect of your life. Adjust your diet by cutting down on high fat food, and take some simple exercise for twenty minutes, three times a week. Going for a brisk walk instead of driving everywhere will have the desired effect, as will gentle jogging or swimming.
Best Way 2
Gym membership is becoming increasingly popular, and, as long the exercise you do is well planned, it can be extremely beneficial. Aerobic exercise has to be the focal point of your plan, otherwise you could do more harm than good. Provided you adhere to this basic rule, some anaerobic weight or resistance training can help tone up your body. This will give you more strength and vitality, and should increase your confidence.
Best Way 3
Going to see a professional nutritionist or dietician can pay off handsomely. If you go it alone, you will need to put in some serious research to make sure you are genuinely eating healthily, and many who try this find themselves discouraged by the lack of variety in their diet. It certainly doesn't have to be that way, as there are plenty of different healthy meals which help you lose weight. Getting the advice of a professional can make the task of losing weight seem so much more enjoyable!
Best Way 4
Find a friend to train with. If you and a friend are both regularly free at the same time of day, it can make sense to train together. Having someone to help you through the times when you don't seem to be getting anywhere can keep you in the game until the improvement suddenly appears. Having a social aspect to your exercise will help you look forward to it, and make you more likely to stick to it!
Best Way 5
Eat less food more often. Many medical practitioners now recommend eating more meals a day, with less food at each one. This is a more balanced way to take food into the body, spreading the load on the body over a far wider period of time. The system of eating three meals a day is designed far more to fit in with the working day than it is to fit in with the needs of the human body. When you eat less more often, the body absorbs more of the nutrients in the food, so your body craves fewer calories.
The best and most effective method for weight loss does depend on the individual, but follow these time tested principles and you will see results. Click the links below to discover some effective resources to help you.
Best Way 1
The most fundamental strategy of successful weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. You shouldn't find it difficult to apply this in some aspect of your life. Adjust your diet by cutting down on high fat food, and take some simple exercise for twenty minutes, three times a week. Going for a brisk walk instead of driving everywhere will have the desired effect, as will gentle jogging or swimming.
Best Way 2
Gym membership is becoming increasingly popular, and, as long the exercise you do is well planned, it can be extremely beneficial. Aerobic exercise has to be the focal point of your plan, otherwise you could do more harm than good. Provided you adhere to this basic rule, some anaerobic weight or resistance training can help tone up your body. This will give you more strength and vitality, and should increase your confidence.
Best Way 3
Going to see a professional nutritionist or dietician can pay off handsomely. If you go it alone, you will need to put in some serious research to make sure you are genuinely eating healthily, and many who try this find themselves discouraged by the lack of variety in their diet. It certainly doesn't have to be that way, as there are plenty of different healthy meals which help you lose weight. Getting the advice of a professional can make the task of losing weight seem so much more enjoyable!
Best Way 4
Find a friend to train with. If you and a friend are both regularly free at the same time of day, it can make sense to train together. Having someone to help you through the times when you don't seem to be getting anywhere can keep you in the game until the improvement suddenly appears. Having a social aspect to your exercise will help you look forward to it, and make you more likely to stick to it!
Best Way 5
Eat less food more often. Many medical practitioners now recommend eating more meals a day, with less food at each one. This is a more balanced way to take food into the body, spreading the load on the body over a far wider period of time. The system of eating three meals a day is designed far more to fit in with the working day than it is to fit in with the needs of the human body. When you eat less more often, the body absorbs more of the nutrients in the food, so your body craves fewer calories.
The best and most effective method for weight loss does depend on the individual, but follow these time tested principles and you will see results. Click the links below to discover some effective resources to help you.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Change What You Crave By Changing How You Think: The 5 Step Mental Method
If I were to ask you which foods temp you, most likely they wouldn’t be ones that are very healthy. I bet they would be ice cream, potato chips, pizza, or something along those lines. In fact, in your mind right now as you’re reading, you are probably thinking about a food that isn’t healthy. Well, aren’t you? Stop for a moment and think about it……………….. The point I’m going to make in this article is that you can change what you crave by changing how you think.
Every new client that comes to my office for weight-loss has a “craving problem.” But I don’t see it as a problem at all. I see it as a solution. Cravings are over-rated. They are hodge-podge and we don’t have to be controlled by them. We don’t have to feel temped by ice cream, cookies or 20-ounce prime ribs. Instead, we can be tempted by watermelon, pineapple, oranges or apples; foods like that. Think that sounds crazy? Well it isn’t and you’ll see why.
When I first sit down and talk with a client about their eating habits, I gather everything I need to know about exactly what they eat and how they eat. The culprit to their weight problem always boils down to snacking, picking, eating foods that are unhealthy or just plain over-eating. Then I’ll ask them what fruits and vegetables they like. I’m yet to come across someone who hates fruit or hates every vegetable under the sun. Finally I’ll ask them how often they eat fruits or vegetables and it’s always a lot less often than the unhealthy stuff.
After I’ve gathered my arsenal of information, we do our thing. I’ll have my clients lay back in my recliner and close their eyes. I’ll direct their mind to a peaceful place, and within minutes they’ll be relaxed like never before. Then I start talking about their favorite fruits and vegetables. I’ll ask them to imagine taking a bite of their favorite juicy, ripe fruit and to feel the juices tickling their taste buds. I’ll say to their mind, “from now on anytime you have a craving for food, you will think of a juicy, ripe piece of fruit. And bingo!!! Next thing you know these are exactly the kinds of foods they start desiring. Why? Because anytime you close your eyes and bring yourself to a calm, relaxed place, your subconscious mind emerges, and it is this part of the mind that controls what you crave. Change your thoughts and you’ll change what you crave. Simple.
Let’s look at this from another perspective. Let’s say pineapple is your favorite fruit. Now, if you were sitting with me right now and I gave you a juicy chunk of it, you would enjoy it thoroughly. And you’d want more, right? Of course. Now, let’s say I reached into my refrigerator, whipped-out a piece of chocolate cake and said, “choose one.” Most likely you would opt for the pineapple because you just had a teaser-piece, which would make your mind want more. The fact of the matter is this: you enjoy your favorite fruits just as much as you enjoy your favorite junk foods, you just believe otherwise.
Again, cravings are over-rated. The mere mention of that devilish word always seems to conjures-up images of high calorie, high fat foods only because these are the foods you are most exposed to in our media driven world. Your subconscious gets accustomed to this and just doesn’t know any better. Change your minds images and you’ll change your cravings. Here’s a quick 5 minute mental exercise you can begin doing now to help you start changing the way you crave food.
Step 1: Find a comfortable, quiet place where there are no distractions. Begin breathing deeply until you are quite relaxed. Next, count backwards from 10-1, slowly. With each count, imagine that your mind is drifting deeper and deeper.
Step 2: After you have finished counting, imagine that you are relaxing by yourself in your favorite place. A secluded beach or a log in the woods will do the trick. Imagine yourself feeling so very relaxed and peaceful.
Step 3: Next, imagine a basket full of your favorite fresh picked fruit sitting right next to you. See it clearly in your mind, the color, the feel, everything about that fruit. Imagine taking a bite of that juicy fruit and enjoying it like never before.
Step 4: Repeat the following suggestion to yourself 10 times: “From now on, anytime I think of eating, I immediately feel a craving for fruit.”
Step 5: Count from 1 to 5, slowly, and when you reach 5 open your eyes.
Every new client that comes to my office for weight-loss has a “craving problem.” But I don’t see it as a problem at all. I see it as a solution. Cravings are over-rated. They are hodge-podge and we don’t have to be controlled by them. We don’t have to feel temped by ice cream, cookies or 20-ounce prime ribs. Instead, we can be tempted by watermelon, pineapple, oranges or apples; foods like that. Think that sounds crazy? Well it isn’t and you’ll see why.
When I first sit down and talk with a client about their eating habits, I gather everything I need to know about exactly what they eat and how they eat. The culprit to their weight problem always boils down to snacking, picking, eating foods that are unhealthy or just plain over-eating. Then I’ll ask them what fruits and vegetables they like. I’m yet to come across someone who hates fruit or hates every vegetable under the sun. Finally I’ll ask them how often they eat fruits or vegetables and it’s always a lot less often than the unhealthy stuff.
After I’ve gathered my arsenal of information, we do our thing. I’ll have my clients lay back in my recliner and close their eyes. I’ll direct their mind to a peaceful place, and within minutes they’ll be relaxed like never before. Then I start talking about their favorite fruits and vegetables. I’ll ask them to imagine taking a bite of their favorite juicy, ripe fruit and to feel the juices tickling their taste buds. I’ll say to their mind, “from now on anytime you have a craving for food, you will think of a juicy, ripe piece of fruit. And bingo!!! Next thing you know these are exactly the kinds of foods they start desiring. Why? Because anytime you close your eyes and bring yourself to a calm, relaxed place, your subconscious mind emerges, and it is this part of the mind that controls what you crave. Change your thoughts and you’ll change what you crave. Simple.
Let’s look at this from another perspective. Let’s say pineapple is your favorite fruit. Now, if you were sitting with me right now and I gave you a juicy chunk of it, you would enjoy it thoroughly. And you’d want more, right? Of course. Now, let’s say I reached into my refrigerator, whipped-out a piece of chocolate cake and said, “choose one.” Most likely you would opt for the pineapple because you just had a teaser-piece, which would make your mind want more. The fact of the matter is this: you enjoy your favorite fruits just as much as you enjoy your favorite junk foods, you just believe otherwise.
Again, cravings are over-rated. The mere mention of that devilish word always seems to conjures-up images of high calorie, high fat foods only because these are the foods you are most exposed to in our media driven world. Your subconscious gets accustomed to this and just doesn’t know any better. Change your minds images and you’ll change your cravings. Here’s a quick 5 minute mental exercise you can begin doing now to help you start changing the way you crave food.
Step 1: Find a comfortable, quiet place where there are no distractions. Begin breathing deeply until you are quite relaxed. Next, count backwards from 10-1, slowly. With each count, imagine that your mind is drifting deeper and deeper.
Step 2: After you have finished counting, imagine that you are relaxing by yourself in your favorite place. A secluded beach or a log in the woods will do the trick. Imagine yourself feeling so very relaxed and peaceful.
Step 3: Next, imagine a basket full of your favorite fresh picked fruit sitting right next to you. See it clearly in your mind, the color, the feel, everything about that fruit. Imagine taking a bite of that juicy fruit and enjoying it like never before.
Step 4: Repeat the following suggestion to yourself 10 times: “From now on, anytime I think of eating, I immediately feel a craving for fruit.”
Step 5: Count from 1 to 5, slowly, and when you reach 5 open your eyes.
The Guide To Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
If you have been searching for an alternative form of weight loss you may want to consider laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. This is probably one of the most popular trends in terms of medical procedures for people that are suffering from morbid obesity. The problem with this new trend is that a lot of people that are suffering from morbid obesity have become interested in getting this procedure done. There are many things to consider before getting this surgery. It is commonly only recommended for people that are experiencing medical issues due to their weight. Although there are some doctors that will perform this procedure for cosmetic reasons, for the most part doctors and medical health professionals try to encourage people to try all of their other options before resorting to the surgery.
If you are considering having the laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure done, there are many things that you must take into consideration before doing so. First of all you may want to think of the cost. This procedure can often be quite costly depending on where you live. Your national healthcare plan may deem this surgery as cosmetic, if this is the case you will most likely have to pay. On the other hand, if the procedure is considered medical than you may have the chance to get it covered by your plan, or at least a portion of it.
There are many tests that your doctor or medical health professional must run on you before having this procedure. Some of the things that you may expect to experience includes studies to assess the condition of your pulmonary, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. A lot of doctors will also give you a psychological evaluation to try and determine how well you will be able to adapt to the changes. This is one of the key tests that doctors use to determine if a patient is prepared for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Although the surgery can be reversed, it is important to consider all of the benefits and risks before hand in order to make an educated decision on whether or not this procedure is right for you.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with exactly how this procedure works, allow me to explain. It is actually quite a simple surgery that usually only lasts around 45 minutes on average. Of course this will vary depending on the doctor and the specifics of the laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Length of the surgery may vary depending on where you live. The surgery works by splitting your stomach into two pouches, the upper which is the smaller of the two and the lower which is the largest. After this is done the doctor simply reconnect you small intestine to both pouches to allow them to function normally. This procedure has been proven to decrease hunger while at the same time increases the feeling of being full. This is understandably an ideal situation for people that are interested in losing weight.
If you are considering having the laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure done, there are many things that you must take into consideration before doing so. First of all you may want to think of the cost. This procedure can often be quite costly depending on where you live. Your national healthcare plan may deem this surgery as cosmetic, if this is the case you will most likely have to pay. On the other hand, if the procedure is considered medical than you may have the chance to get it covered by your plan, or at least a portion of it.
There are many tests that your doctor or medical health professional must run on you before having this procedure. Some of the things that you may expect to experience includes studies to assess the condition of your pulmonary, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. A lot of doctors will also give you a psychological evaluation to try and determine how well you will be able to adapt to the changes. This is one of the key tests that doctors use to determine if a patient is prepared for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Although the surgery can be reversed, it is important to consider all of the benefits and risks before hand in order to make an educated decision on whether or not this procedure is right for you.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with exactly how this procedure works, allow me to explain. It is actually quite a simple surgery that usually only lasts around 45 minutes on average. Of course this will vary depending on the doctor and the specifics of the laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Length of the surgery may vary depending on where you live. The surgery works by splitting your stomach into two pouches, the upper which is the smaller of the two and the lower which is the largest. After this is done the doctor simply reconnect you small intestine to both pouches to allow them to function normally. This procedure has been proven to decrease hunger while at the same time increases the feeling of being full. This is understandably an ideal situation for people that are interested in losing weight.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Why Losing Weight is Good
There is a great benefit acquired from losing weight. Though losing weight is not easy, the long term effects brought by it would probably be of help to anyone considering to shed those unwanted and unhealthy pounds.
The following are a few of the remarkable advantages from losing those excess weight.
Weight loss prevents high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
That is a three in one benefit from losing weight. It is a fact that heart disease and stroke are one of the primary reasons for disability and death in both men and women in the US. People who are overweight have a higher risk to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood stream as well as triglycerides (also known as blood fat).
Angina, one type of heart disease, could cause chest pains as well as a decrease in the oxygen pumped to the heart.
Sudden death also occurs from heart disease and stroke, and usually this strikes with very little warning, signs and symptoms.
It is a fact that by decreasing your weight by a mere five to ten percent, this could positively decrease the chances of you having or developing heart disease or a stroke. Plus, how your heart functions would also improve as well as your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride count will decrease.
Weight loss prevents type 2 diabetes
Diabetes puts in jeopardy one’s life as well as how one leads his or her life because of the complications that result from having it. Both types of diabetes, type one and type two are linked with being overweight. To those who already have diabetes, regular exercise and losing weight could help in controlling your blood sugar levels as well as the medication you may be currently taking. Increase your physical activity. You could simply walk, jog or dance. It helps get those blood streams moving as well as lose those unnecessary pounds.
Weight loss helps reduce your risk for cancer
Being overweight is linked with a number of kinds of cancer. Specially for women, the common types of cancer that is associated with being overweight include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, ovary, breast, and colon. This is not meant to scare you, this is only to keep you informed. Men are at risk too from developing cancer if they are overweight. These include cancer of the colon, prostate and rectum. Extra weight, a diet high in fat and cholesterol should as much as possible be avoided.
Weight loss reduces sleep apnea
Or it could eliminate it all together. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein one could temporarily stop breathing for a brief period and then would continue to snore heavily. Sleep apnea could cause drowsiness or sleepiness during the day and – because of being overweight – could result in heart failure. Shedding those excess pounds could help in eliminating this problem.
Weight loss reduces the pain of osteoarthritis
When one weighs heavily, the joints of his or her knees, hips and lower back would have to exert double – if not triple – effort to carry him or her through out his / her waking, walking and moving life. This could cause tension and stress on these joints. Weight loss decreases the load these joints carry thus decreasing – if not eliminating – the pain of one who has osteoarthritis.
The following are a few of the remarkable advantages from losing those excess weight.
Weight loss prevents high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
That is a three in one benefit from losing weight. It is a fact that heart disease and stroke are one of the primary reasons for disability and death in both men and women in the US. People who are overweight have a higher risk to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood stream as well as triglycerides (also known as blood fat).
Angina, one type of heart disease, could cause chest pains as well as a decrease in the oxygen pumped to the heart.
Sudden death also occurs from heart disease and stroke, and usually this strikes with very little warning, signs and symptoms.
It is a fact that by decreasing your weight by a mere five to ten percent, this could positively decrease the chances of you having or developing heart disease or a stroke. Plus, how your heart functions would also improve as well as your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride count will decrease.
Weight loss prevents type 2 diabetes
Diabetes puts in jeopardy one’s life as well as how one leads his or her life because of the complications that result from having it. Both types of diabetes, type one and type two are linked with being overweight. To those who already have diabetes, regular exercise and losing weight could help in controlling your blood sugar levels as well as the medication you may be currently taking. Increase your physical activity. You could simply walk, jog or dance. It helps get those blood streams moving as well as lose those unnecessary pounds.
Weight loss helps reduce your risk for cancer
Being overweight is linked with a number of kinds of cancer. Specially for women, the common types of cancer that is associated with being overweight include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, ovary, breast, and colon. This is not meant to scare you, this is only to keep you informed. Men are at risk too from developing cancer if they are overweight. These include cancer of the colon, prostate and rectum. Extra weight, a diet high in fat and cholesterol should as much as possible be avoided.
Weight loss reduces sleep apnea
Or it could eliminate it all together. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein one could temporarily stop breathing for a brief period and then would continue to snore heavily. Sleep apnea could cause drowsiness or sleepiness during the day and – because of being overweight – could result in heart failure. Shedding those excess pounds could help in eliminating this problem.
Weight loss reduces the pain of osteoarthritis
When one weighs heavily, the joints of his or her knees, hips and lower back would have to exert double – if not triple – effort to carry him or her through out his / her waking, walking and moving life. This could cause tension and stress on these joints. Weight loss decreases the load these joints carry thus decreasing – if not eliminating – the pain of one who has osteoarthritis.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The D.E.W Method - how I lost 13 lbs.
Okay, okay, I am not obese in any real sense of the word, but I was adding on the extra pounds. This was evident by having a harder and harder time getting my pants buttoned or zipped, slipping a notch in my belt, etc. I would guess I was about 20 lbs over weight and it all seemed to be right around my waist. Does this sound like you? You should consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss program, especially if you have more than 20 lbs to lose. So have no fear as I present the D.E.W. method of weight loss. There is nothing magically here and no incredible claims of outrageous weight loss, just simple facts of life. So let's get to it.
1. Diet
I started out with the “D” word, can you believe it? Of course you can, as any weight loss program has to take this into consideration. Here is the simple fact you can not eat 5000 calories a day (or a meal for some of us) and expect to maintain or even loss weight. A couple of common sense items is all for this area. You need to control the number of calories you take into your body. There are plenty of diet books and websites that will help you decide what is right for you, but somewhere around 2000/day seems to be the norm. Here is the key - whatever you decide is right for you spread them out over the day. If you try to “diet” and eat little or nothing for breakfast and lunch and then eat all you calories at dinner (followed by a late night snack - come on I do it too so let's be honest). This pattern causes your body to go into survival mode due to the starvation the first half of the day and store most of the calories as fat when it finally does get feed to get it through the next morning. So find a way to spread your calories out over the day, small amounts ever couple of hours to keep the hunger away and feed your body as it needs it, not all at once. So I packed my desk at work with low calorie items (pretzels, granola, almonds, etc.) and between meals (10 am & 2 pm) I would snack a little to keep my metabolism up. And I had a snack again at night, it is important if you do this you give your body time to process those calories. Right before bed it not the time, try to make your final snack 2 - 3 hours before going to bed.
2. Exercise
I am going for the throat here, can you believe after the “D” word I was so bold as to suggest the “E” word. Again this shouldn't be news; you need to burn more calories that you take in if you want to shed the pounds. The trick it to find something you enjoy doing and then don't over do it. DO NOT START a new exercise program without first consulting your doctor. There is an old story about a man who lifted a calf each morning and then finally one day he lifted a cow (hint: the calf grew into a cow). Basically he did it in small increments each time until he built up the strength to lift the cow. For me it was walking, so I started just going around the block I lived on. I added an extra block every couple days or once a week. Before long I was walking a little over 3 miles around my neighborhood. So don't try to run a marathon your first time out. Start small and build, consistency is the key.
3. Water
Not sure if this will be a shocker to anyone or not. Basically our bodies are % water. Like with the exercise we need to start small and build. Again, there are plenty of books and websites to give you an idea of what might be ideal for you, but working up to about a gallon a day (or X.X liters for non-US folks). I used the water to help curb the hunger pains between meals and snacks. I started by using a small 12 ounce bottle and drinking 2 a day (1 in the morning, the other in the afternoon). Then every week I would add another 12 ounces until I built up to my desired amount. I found if you can work out a pattern or time schedule (must drink 12 ounces before noon, etc), then a habit is formed. Were there a lot times I was chugging 10 ounces at 11:58 am, yes but I drank my 12 ounces by noon. By cutting down on calories and burning more from exercise, your body will create more waste as it converts fat into energy and protein into muscle. If it has additional water to work with it will do a better job of flushing the toxins and excess fat from your body. Yes drinking this much water will mean more trips to the bathroom, but just think of it as additional exercise.
So what have we learned, you need to control your diet and spread the calories out over the day providing them as your body needs them not all at once. Exercise will burn more calories than you eat, so start small and build. More water = less fat, again start small and build. So let's all get out there and do what we know we need to do.
1. Diet
I started out with the “D” word, can you believe it? Of course you can, as any weight loss program has to take this into consideration. Here is the simple fact you can not eat 5000 calories a day (or a meal for some of us) and expect to maintain or even loss weight. A couple of common sense items is all for this area. You need to control the number of calories you take into your body. There are plenty of diet books and websites that will help you decide what is right for you, but somewhere around 2000/day seems to be the norm. Here is the key - whatever you decide is right for you spread them out over the day. If you try to “diet” and eat little or nothing for breakfast and lunch and then eat all you calories at dinner (followed by a late night snack - come on I do it too so let's be honest). This pattern causes your body to go into survival mode due to the starvation the first half of the day and store most of the calories as fat when it finally does get feed to get it through the next morning. So find a way to spread your calories out over the day, small amounts ever couple of hours to keep the hunger away and feed your body as it needs it, not all at once. So I packed my desk at work with low calorie items (pretzels, granola, almonds, etc.) and between meals (10 am & 2 pm) I would snack a little to keep my metabolism up. And I had a snack again at night, it is important if you do this you give your body time to process those calories. Right before bed it not the time, try to make your final snack 2 - 3 hours before going to bed.
2. Exercise
I am going for the throat here, can you believe after the “D” word I was so bold as to suggest the “E” word. Again this shouldn't be news; you need to burn more calories that you take in if you want to shed the pounds. The trick it to find something you enjoy doing and then don't over do it. DO NOT START a new exercise program without first consulting your doctor. There is an old story about a man who lifted a calf each morning and then finally one day he lifted a cow (hint: the calf grew into a cow). Basically he did it in small increments each time until he built up the strength to lift the cow. For me it was walking, so I started just going around the block I lived on. I added an extra block every couple days or once a week. Before long I was walking a little over 3 miles around my neighborhood. So don't try to run a marathon your first time out. Start small and build, consistency is the key.
3. Water
Not sure if this will be a shocker to anyone or not. Basically our bodies are % water. Like with the exercise we need to start small and build. Again, there are plenty of books and websites to give you an idea of what might be ideal for you, but working up to about a gallon a day (or X.X liters for non-US folks). I used the water to help curb the hunger pains between meals and snacks. I started by using a small 12 ounce bottle and drinking 2 a day (1 in the morning, the other in the afternoon). Then every week I would add another 12 ounces until I built up to my desired amount. I found if you can work out a pattern or time schedule (must drink 12 ounces before noon, etc), then a habit is formed. Were there a lot times I was chugging 10 ounces at 11:58 am, yes but I drank my 12 ounces by noon. By cutting down on calories and burning more from exercise, your body will create more waste as it converts fat into energy and protein into muscle. If it has additional water to work with it will do a better job of flushing the toxins and excess fat from your body. Yes drinking this much water will mean more trips to the bathroom, but just think of it as additional exercise.
So what have we learned, you need to control your diet and spread the calories out over the day providing them as your body needs them not all at once. Exercise will burn more calories than you eat, so start small and build. More water = less fat, again start small and build. So let's all get out there and do what we know we need to do.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The BAsics Behind Weight Loss
So you want to lose weight? Well you are not the only one. Are you aware that the latest statistics show us that more than half the population of the United States are overweight and about Eighty percent of theses people are on a diet at any one time?
It would stand to reason that if diets worked and eighty percent of the overweight people in the USA are on a diet at any given time then percentage would begin to fall. However it does not! There are still fifty percent of Americans overweight and this percentage is rising every year.
Unfortunately the statistics also show us that the majority of people who actually do lose weight after following a diet regain all the weight in a very short time. These people do not get the basics correct before they start their weight loss plan. Therefore, if you plan to begin a weight lose diet you must ensure that you get the basics correct so you do not become just another statistic!
In this New Age of Information Technology there are all kinds of diets, pills. Potions and plans at your fingertips which you can easily access with the click of a mouse button. Due to the vast array of choices, combined with so many different opinions, it can become overwhelming and seem impossible to decide which one is the best for you. It is essential therefore that before you begin investigating methods for losing weight you take some initial steps. Here are a several valuable tips to begin with.
Start by consulting a professional who specializes in weight loss. This does not mean someone who runs weight-watchers or your next door neighbour who lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks! Begin your search for such a person by contacting your own doctor. Although your own doctor will probably not specialize in weight loss or nutition he or she is a highly trained professional who has a thorough working knowledge of the human body. In additional he/she will very likely be able to recommend a more specialised practitioner and give you contact information.
Next - watch your fat intake and the fat content of the foods you are buying. Many times people launch into a diet and watch every tiny calorie they consume but fail to read the fat content on the label of their food products. Calories do count but fat is a much more important consideration. Fat is a huge factor in weight gain and by eliminating as much of it from your diet you can lose weight without it overly adversely affecting the amount of food you eat. By reducing your fat intake you will see a dramatic effect on your overall weight-loss and on your health!
Try to keep a food diary outlining what you eat and how you feel about the food you eat. Health and nutritional professionals strongly advise this as a first and powerful step in your weight management. Keeping a diary of your food intake, your feelings around food and your exercise routines is a powerful way to analyse your eating habits. Being disciplined enough to keep a diary will allow you to see if there are any emotional reasons, like stress, loneliness or boredom for example, that are contributing to your eating patterns.
Research a few weight loss plans and pick one that you think you could stick with or perhaps even enjoy. Look into the history of the weight loss plan. Read other people’s comments about it to find out which one has the highest permanent positive gains. Look at what food is allowed on the diet and which foods are not. Does it incorporate some kind of fitness program? What amount of exercise is required? Will you have enough time and motivation to cook all those strange dishes?
There is absolutely no point launching in starting a diet or weight loss plan if you know you are going find it extremely difficult and get discourage at the very begining. Use your food diary to plan ahead. Once you have chosen your desired plan show it to your doctor or health care professional and make sure they approve of it! Many diets and weight loss plans can be very dangerous and health threatening. Make sure your plan is followed to the letter as you may be doing damage that you are unaware of if you do not. For example, a very low calorie diet that is within the recommended calorie-intake level, can cause long-lasting harmful effects to your body if you start skipping meals!
Once you begin make sure you write all your positive gains into your food diary. Do not berate yourself if you fall short on your goals. Be sure to give yourself the appropriate positive approval when you do succeed. Praise yourself for reaching each goal, even if you didn’t lose the weight you wanted congratulate yourself when you follow your plan – you are proving to yourself that you have the will-power to do it!
Don’t allow yourself to become too discouraged if you miss a target. You are still going in the right direction by staying focused and disciplined. Spoil yourself a little when you succeed. Buy yourself some new clothes for your new body and enjoy the fact that you have done your best. This is positive reinforcement and will help you to maintain your dietary plan and your weight in the long term.
It would stand to reason that if diets worked and eighty percent of the overweight people in the USA are on a diet at any given time then percentage would begin to fall. However it does not! There are still fifty percent of Americans overweight and this percentage is rising every year.
Unfortunately the statistics also show us that the majority of people who actually do lose weight after following a diet regain all the weight in a very short time. These people do not get the basics correct before they start their weight loss plan. Therefore, if you plan to begin a weight lose diet you must ensure that you get the basics correct so you do not become just another statistic!
In this New Age of Information Technology there are all kinds of diets, pills. Potions and plans at your fingertips which you can easily access with the click of a mouse button. Due to the vast array of choices, combined with so many different opinions, it can become overwhelming and seem impossible to decide which one is the best for you. It is essential therefore that before you begin investigating methods for losing weight you take some initial steps. Here are a several valuable tips to begin with.
Start by consulting a professional who specializes in weight loss. This does not mean someone who runs weight-watchers or your next door neighbour who lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks! Begin your search for such a person by contacting your own doctor. Although your own doctor will probably not specialize in weight loss or nutition he or she is a highly trained professional who has a thorough working knowledge of the human body. In additional he/she will very likely be able to recommend a more specialised practitioner and give you contact information.
Next - watch your fat intake and the fat content of the foods you are buying. Many times people launch into a diet and watch every tiny calorie they consume but fail to read the fat content on the label of their food products. Calories do count but fat is a much more important consideration. Fat is a huge factor in weight gain and by eliminating as much of it from your diet you can lose weight without it overly adversely affecting the amount of food you eat. By reducing your fat intake you will see a dramatic effect on your overall weight-loss and on your health!
Try to keep a food diary outlining what you eat and how you feel about the food you eat. Health and nutritional professionals strongly advise this as a first and powerful step in your weight management. Keeping a diary of your food intake, your feelings around food and your exercise routines is a powerful way to analyse your eating habits. Being disciplined enough to keep a diary will allow you to see if there are any emotional reasons, like stress, loneliness or boredom for example, that are contributing to your eating patterns.
Research a few weight loss plans and pick one that you think you could stick with or perhaps even enjoy. Look into the history of the weight loss plan. Read other people’s comments about it to find out which one has the highest permanent positive gains. Look at what food is allowed on the diet and which foods are not. Does it incorporate some kind of fitness program? What amount of exercise is required? Will you have enough time and motivation to cook all those strange dishes?
There is absolutely no point launching in starting a diet or weight loss plan if you know you are going find it extremely difficult and get discourage at the very begining. Use your food diary to plan ahead. Once you have chosen your desired plan show it to your doctor or health care professional and make sure they approve of it! Many diets and weight loss plans can be very dangerous and health threatening. Make sure your plan is followed to the letter as you may be doing damage that you are unaware of if you do not. For example, a very low calorie diet that is within the recommended calorie-intake level, can cause long-lasting harmful effects to your body if you start skipping meals!
Once you begin make sure you write all your positive gains into your food diary. Do not berate yourself if you fall short on your goals. Be sure to give yourself the appropriate positive approval when you do succeed. Praise yourself for reaching each goal, even if you didn’t lose the weight you wanted congratulate yourself when you follow your plan – you are proving to yourself that you have the will-power to do it!
Don’t allow yourself to become too discouraged if you miss a target. You are still going in the right direction by staying focused and disciplined. Spoil yourself a little when you succeed. Buy yourself some new clothes for your new body and enjoy the fact that you have done your best. This is positive reinforcement and will help you to maintain your dietary plan and your weight in the long term.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The All-Important Weigh-In
Allowing your week to revolve around one event generally isn’t a good idea. If that one event turns sour, so does your week. When you are on a diet, your weigh-in can become that one event. If your diet is important to you, then your weigh-in will also be very important to you. A weigh-in will give you “thumbs up,” “thumbs down” or “hanging on”; it is your weekly progress report.
I used to feel elated when I got a “thumbs up,” and dejected when I got a “thumbs down.” Sometimes those feelings would last all week until the next weigh-in, which would either confirm the feeling or change it. Please don’t make it this way for you. The weigh-in gives you feedback, and feedback is extremely important. Treat it as information and stay off the emotional roller coaster.
What can you do to help yourself just before you step on the scale? Do you have any last requests? Is there anything else you can do to increase your probability of success? If you are thinking about taking fast-acting laxatives, I’ll give you a few bonus points for thinking outside of the box, but please do not rely on such substances. I certainly wouldn’t want to compound my problems by getting addicted to something else besides food.On certain weeks where I knew I would not have a favorable weigh-in, I wanted to clip my nails shorter than ever, get all the wax out of my ears and shave my head (anything to make me weigh less), but clearly I just needed to do better the following week. That’s about all one can do.Then there were the weeks when I knew I would have a great weigh-in. The night before weighing myself, I would lie in my bed, wanting to fall asleep as fast as possible so that tomorrow would arrive sooner. I couldn’t wait to get on that scale, much like a child cannot wait to open his birthday presents. I would mark down that one or two pound loss and glow with pride. My confidence rose on such days.My process of getting on the scale is by no means simple. I tried to get on the scale as lightly as possible rather than jumping on. I didn’t want to rattle the Fat Gods or anything like that. While both hands were pushing off of two different bathroom ledges, I would place my left foot on the scale. Slowly I would raise my right foot onto the scale while my hands were still responsible for cheating the scale reading by 30 pounds. Gradually, I would reduce the pressure from my hands and I would see the reading start to rise. How far would it rise? At the very point my hands would lose contact from the walls, I could see how I had done that week.If I gained a pound, I usually weighed myself again, but I always got the same result. It was worth a try. If I lost some weight, I did not weigh myself again. My thinking was that the second weighing might be higher. Why not leave a good thing alone?Many times before the weigh-in I used to starve myself for a day. I wanted to nail the weigh-in that badly. What would happen after the weigh-in? I would scarf down enough food for three people. I figured I could do this since I wouldn’t have to weigh-in for another seven days.I don’t think this was a good idea (no kidding, Johnny). Overall it just threw me out of balance. I think it is much better to be consistent day in and day out than starving yourself one or two specific days a week. You will just end up wreaking havoc with your metabolism.Remember that it is much more important to be consistent than carefree on your diet. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be carefree in other areas of your life. Why not wear fancy clothes but eat simply?
I used to feel elated when I got a “thumbs up,” and dejected when I got a “thumbs down.” Sometimes those feelings would last all week until the next weigh-in, which would either confirm the feeling or change it. Please don’t make it this way for you. The weigh-in gives you feedback, and feedback is extremely important. Treat it as information and stay off the emotional roller coaster.
What can you do to help yourself just before you step on the scale? Do you have any last requests? Is there anything else you can do to increase your probability of success? If you are thinking about taking fast-acting laxatives, I’ll give you a few bonus points for thinking outside of the box, but please do not rely on such substances. I certainly wouldn’t want to compound my problems by getting addicted to something else besides food.On certain weeks where I knew I would not have a favorable weigh-in, I wanted to clip my nails shorter than ever, get all the wax out of my ears and shave my head (anything to make me weigh less), but clearly I just needed to do better the following week. That’s about all one can do.Then there were the weeks when I knew I would have a great weigh-in. The night before weighing myself, I would lie in my bed, wanting to fall asleep as fast as possible so that tomorrow would arrive sooner. I couldn’t wait to get on that scale, much like a child cannot wait to open his birthday presents. I would mark down that one or two pound loss and glow with pride. My confidence rose on such days.My process of getting on the scale is by no means simple. I tried to get on the scale as lightly as possible rather than jumping on. I didn’t want to rattle the Fat Gods or anything like that. While both hands were pushing off of two different bathroom ledges, I would place my left foot on the scale. Slowly I would raise my right foot onto the scale while my hands were still responsible for cheating the scale reading by 30 pounds. Gradually, I would reduce the pressure from my hands and I would see the reading start to rise. How far would it rise? At the very point my hands would lose contact from the walls, I could see how I had done that week.If I gained a pound, I usually weighed myself again, but I always got the same result. It was worth a try. If I lost some weight, I did not weigh myself again. My thinking was that the second weighing might be higher. Why not leave a good thing alone?Many times before the weigh-in I used to starve myself for a day. I wanted to nail the weigh-in that badly. What would happen after the weigh-in? I would scarf down enough food for three people. I figured I could do this since I wouldn’t have to weigh-in for another seven days.I don’t think this was a good idea (no kidding, Johnny). Overall it just threw me out of balance. I think it is much better to be consistent day in and day out than starving yourself one or two specific days a week. You will just end up wreaking havoc with your metabolism.Remember that it is much more important to be consistent than carefree on your diet. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be carefree in other areas of your life. Why not wear fancy clothes but eat simply?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Taking Advantage Of Cider Vinegar Weight Loss
With all the diet pills, extreme dieting techniques and exercise programs, you might miss an age-old technique: cider vinegar weight loss. That’s right, you don’t need to pump your body full of chemicals or go on some crazy crash diet. The answer you’re looking for might already be in your kitchen cupboard! It might sound crazy, but cider vinegar has been used as a weight loss treatment for ages.
So how can apple cider vinegar help with your weight loss? The truth is, no one quite knows. Scientific tests haven’t been able to prove anything for sure about cider vinegar in regards to weight loss. The reason to try cider vinegar is mainly the stories of people who’ve already used it, and already lost weight thanks to it.
There are a few ideas as to why cider vinegar aids in weight loss. Some people believe that it increases a person’s natural metabolism, which makes out body digest and change food into energy faster. Other people have stated that cider vinegar actively burns the calories in your body to help you lose weight. Some reports say that cider vinegar helps cleanse the liver, which is an organ that can have a big effect on weight loss.
One recent experiment showed that eating cider vinegar with or right before a meal can help you feel more full, and thus prevent overeating. The test was a very small one, but the results looked really good. Cider vinegar weight loss still needs to be tested more with people before we can be sure just how much it helps. There’s evidence that ancient Egyptians used cider vinegar for weight loss, so it must be doing something right!
There are a couple of different ways to use cider vinegar in your weight loss program. The easiest way is just to add a little bit of cider vinegar to a glass of water or juice, and drink it with a meal. Another option is to buy tablets or capsules that contain cider vinegar in them. Some of these tablets contain other things, like vitamin B6 and something called lecithin, which may have more effect than cider vinegar alone.
Aside from weight loss benefits, cider vinegar is very healthy for you. It is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, and can help with a number of medical problems and improve your general health. For instance, cider vinegar contains potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. It also has fiber, which can absorb the cholesterol that causes heart problems. Those are just a few things it helps with – cider vinegar can also help with digestion, sore throats, arthritis pain and even diabetes.
Despite all the bonuses of using cider vinegar weight loss, it has some risks as well. The biggest thing to watch out for is that cider vinegar is very acidic, which means it can burn and damage your teeth, mouth or throat. It’s important to dilute cider vinegar in water or juice before drinking it. Be sure to contact your doctor before trying cider vinegar if you have any serious medical conditions.
So how can apple cider vinegar help with your weight loss? The truth is, no one quite knows. Scientific tests haven’t been able to prove anything for sure about cider vinegar in regards to weight loss. The reason to try cider vinegar is mainly the stories of people who’ve already used it, and already lost weight thanks to it.
There are a few ideas as to why cider vinegar aids in weight loss. Some people believe that it increases a person’s natural metabolism, which makes out body digest and change food into energy faster. Other people have stated that cider vinegar actively burns the calories in your body to help you lose weight. Some reports say that cider vinegar helps cleanse the liver, which is an organ that can have a big effect on weight loss.
One recent experiment showed that eating cider vinegar with or right before a meal can help you feel more full, and thus prevent overeating. The test was a very small one, but the results looked really good. Cider vinegar weight loss still needs to be tested more with people before we can be sure just how much it helps. There’s evidence that ancient Egyptians used cider vinegar for weight loss, so it must be doing something right!
There are a couple of different ways to use cider vinegar in your weight loss program. The easiest way is just to add a little bit of cider vinegar to a glass of water or juice, and drink it with a meal. Another option is to buy tablets or capsules that contain cider vinegar in them. Some of these tablets contain other things, like vitamin B6 and something called lecithin, which may have more effect than cider vinegar alone.
Aside from weight loss benefits, cider vinegar is very healthy for you. It is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, and can help with a number of medical problems and improve your general health. For instance, cider vinegar contains potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. It also has fiber, which can absorb the cholesterol that causes heart problems. Those are just a few things it helps with – cider vinegar can also help with digestion, sore throats, arthritis pain and even diabetes.
Despite all the bonuses of using cider vinegar weight loss, it has some risks as well. The biggest thing to watch out for is that cider vinegar is very acidic, which means it can burn and damage your teeth, mouth or throat. It’s important to dilute cider vinegar in water or juice before drinking it. Be sure to contact your doctor before trying cider vinegar if you have any serious medical conditions.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Successful Weight Loss In Five Easy Steps
If you happen to be among the millions of people who are weight impaired, you may have already considered, or even tried many alternatives for losing weight, and you may still be seeking
that one magic "remedy".
Sadly, there are no magic remedies, diet pills, or supplements for losing weight. It takes desire, persistence, and lots of accurate information seasoned with ample amounts of supportive
and caring guidance, to succeed.
Through the trials and tribulations of many failed weight loss plans, we now know that if you try to manage your weight by making too many radical changes to your diet and your lifestyle,
you will eventually fail.
For a diet plan to be successful it must fit within the boundaries of normal day-to-day habits and activities. It must allow for the consumption of familiar foods in familiar and traditional social settings.
The exclusion of "taboo" foods or your favorite fast food restaurant is generally a set-up for eventual dieting failure. When you stop to think about it, isn't it usually the things you are told that you can't do or can't have that you desire the most! It's a part of human nature. We want what we can't have!
So take it away from us, and surely this is exactly what we will want and crave most! The most highly regarded sources of information agree that we tend to focus on what we can't have, including the foods we eat.(see what the Bible has to say about it; Romans 7:14-15).
A good plan for losing weight should not try to radically change your eating behavior. The plan should adapt to your daily activities and eating habits, and of course any good plan
should incorporate the benefits of good nutrition, convenience,and above all, practicality.
The bottom line is that we are all very busy people without a lot of time to spare. We're not very likely to turn our busy lifestyles upside down to follow some restrictive plan for losing weight.
Maybe a few will work for a short period of time, but the facts don't lie. Although the "crash" weight loss diets may work for a short while, most of us will find that before long the pounds will start to begin to creep back on.
After all, we are not going give-up eating at fast food and sit-down restaurants when we need a quick meal or snack, and we are unlikely to stop eating with business associates, good friends and family.
It is very difficult therefore,(if not impossible)to follow dieting guidelines on special meal occasions such as these!
We are not going to completely eliminate the foods we love and crave, and we're most definitely not going to waste precious time preparing special dietary meals from "scratch" every day!
Therefore it is very important to know that you don't have to stop doing any of the above to lose weight.
You can look and feel like a million bucks, take years off your appearance and have the energy and vitality to accomplish your dreams, by following a few simple guidelines.
Here they are...
Take It One Step At A Time.
Some of the greatest accomplishments in life begin by taking one small step at a time. When we are challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take
action, great things start to happen!
If you have important weight loss goals you are not achieving,try to spend less time worrying about all the possible "causes" and start concentrating on how you can make progress.
This is one of the keys to moving forward and a simple, but powerful tool for success.
Assess Your Dietary Needs And Lifestyle.
Awareness is the key, so take some time to learn about your specific dietary needs (caloric intake) and daily energy requirements for example. We're talking a basic understanding
here, and not having to go into any great detail.
Seek Advice From Friends And Trusted Authorities.
Don't believe everything you hear! There are thousands of diet "scams" on the market. When you find a trusted source, ask as many questions as you can about diet and exercise. Find out what
has worked for others. But always be on-guard for the "quick fix" approach...it won't work in the majority of cases.
Start Creating A System Of Support.
About 85% of our "happiness" and well-being is determined by the quality of our relationships with other people. Loving, caring relationships and a network of friends, family, and colleagues
lowers stress, increases longevity, and helps us to accomplish our goals in life (including losing weight).
We are social creatures and we do our best when we have friends to cheer us on, offer support, give advice, and hold us accountable when necessary. This makes it easy for us to succeed.
So, surround yourself with people, tools and activities that make it more likely for you to succeed than to fail! Arrange your living environment and social situations so that every thing around you pulls your forward, instead of possibly leaving you totally de-motivated.
Use Your Resources.
Read motivational tips, general health information and any other literature you can get your hands-on. Information is power!
NOW TAKE THE FIRST STEP
There you have it. So you can get started today, and make sure your whole approach is controlled, rational and methodical. If you can take the "long term view," and set yourself realistic "achievable" goals you will most surely succeed.
that one magic "remedy".
Sadly, there are no magic remedies, diet pills, or supplements for losing weight. It takes desire, persistence, and lots of accurate information seasoned with ample amounts of supportive
and caring guidance, to succeed.
Through the trials and tribulations of many failed weight loss plans, we now know that if you try to manage your weight by making too many radical changes to your diet and your lifestyle,
you will eventually fail.
For a diet plan to be successful it must fit within the boundaries of normal day-to-day habits and activities. It must allow for the consumption of familiar foods in familiar and traditional social settings.
The exclusion of "taboo" foods or your favorite fast food restaurant is generally a set-up for eventual dieting failure. When you stop to think about it, isn't it usually the things you are told that you can't do or can't have that you desire the most! It's a part of human nature. We want what we can't have!
So take it away from us, and surely this is exactly what we will want and crave most! The most highly regarded sources of information agree that we tend to focus on what we can't have, including the foods we eat.(see what the Bible has to say about it; Romans 7:14-15).
A good plan for losing weight should not try to radically change your eating behavior. The plan should adapt to your daily activities and eating habits, and of course any good plan
should incorporate the benefits of good nutrition, convenience,and above all, practicality.
The bottom line is that we are all very busy people without a lot of time to spare. We're not very likely to turn our busy lifestyles upside down to follow some restrictive plan for losing weight.
Maybe a few will work for a short period of time, but the facts don't lie. Although the "crash" weight loss diets may work for a short while, most of us will find that before long the pounds will start to begin to creep back on.
After all, we are not going give-up eating at fast food and sit-down restaurants when we need a quick meal or snack, and we are unlikely to stop eating with business associates, good friends and family.
It is very difficult therefore,(if not impossible)to follow dieting guidelines on special meal occasions such as these!
We are not going to completely eliminate the foods we love and crave, and we're most definitely not going to waste precious time preparing special dietary meals from "scratch" every day!
Therefore it is very important to know that you don't have to stop doing any of the above to lose weight.
You can look and feel like a million bucks, take years off your appearance and have the energy and vitality to accomplish your dreams, by following a few simple guidelines.
Here they are...
Take It One Step At A Time.
Some of the greatest accomplishments in life begin by taking one small step at a time. When we are challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take
action, great things start to happen!
If you have important weight loss goals you are not achieving,try to spend less time worrying about all the possible "causes" and start concentrating on how you can make progress.
This is one of the keys to moving forward and a simple, but powerful tool for success.
Assess Your Dietary Needs And Lifestyle.
Awareness is the key, so take some time to learn about your specific dietary needs (caloric intake) and daily energy requirements for example. We're talking a basic understanding
here, and not having to go into any great detail.
Seek Advice From Friends And Trusted Authorities.
Don't believe everything you hear! There are thousands of diet "scams" on the market. When you find a trusted source, ask as many questions as you can about diet and exercise. Find out what
has worked for others. But always be on-guard for the "quick fix" approach...it won't work in the majority of cases.
Start Creating A System Of Support.
About 85% of our "happiness" and well-being is determined by the quality of our relationships with other people. Loving, caring relationships and a network of friends, family, and colleagues
lowers stress, increases longevity, and helps us to accomplish our goals in life (including losing weight).
We are social creatures and we do our best when we have friends to cheer us on, offer support, give advice, and hold us accountable when necessary. This makes it easy for us to succeed.
So, surround yourself with people, tools and activities that make it more likely for you to succeed than to fail! Arrange your living environment and social situations so that every thing around you pulls your forward, instead of possibly leaving you totally de-motivated.
Use Your Resources.
Read motivational tips, general health information and any other literature you can get your hands-on. Information is power!
NOW TAKE THE FIRST STEP
There you have it. So you can get started today, and make sure your whole approach is controlled, rational and methodical. If you can take the "long term view," and set yourself realistic "achievable" goals you will most surely succeed.
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