Lose Weight Today

Soy for Weight Loss, Heart Health and Other Health Conditions

2010-09-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Eating soy can help you lose weight.
Photo by Luiz Balter
Stock.Xchng 505486

Hi all,
Soy is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Read on to learn more.

The soybean may be small but it packs a powerful health punch. For over 5,000 years, Asians have known the benefits of soy but it has only been over the last few decades that the health benefits of soy have been acknowledged by the Western world. Soy is high in protein, low in fat, and contains all of the eight essential amino acids which makes it a complete protein. Soy is also packed with vitamins and minerals as well as isoflavones, a plant hormone that resembles estrogen, which is a main factor in soy’s many health benefits. People who enjoy a diet rich in soy products will also enjoy the following health benefits:

Accelerate Weight Loss with Soy

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana and the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that people were able to lose weight if they substituted protein-rich foods, such as a dairy or meat products, with a soy-based food. Soy-based foods are lower in calories and fat as compared to dairy products and meat and are also full of fiber which helps you to feel full longer. Adding soy to your diet can also boost your metabolism, increase energy and build lean muscle instead of fat which can occur in a diet rich in dairy products and red meat. Try replacing hamburgers with soy burgers, milk with soy milk and adding soybeans, soy nuts and soy cheese to your diet.

Soy Lowers Insulin Levels

Adding soy to the diet has also shown to lower blood glucose and insulin levels. It has been found that soy isoflavones lower the build up of tissue fat and also accelerates the breakdown of fat in the body. This makes soy helpful in reducing the risk of developing diabetes and also beneficial to diabetics who are trying to lose weight.

Soy Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

A diet rich in soy products can reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides and increase good (HDL) cholesterol. Eating soy can also reduce the build-up of plaque in the arteries which is responsible for causing heart attacks and strokes.

Relieve Symptoms of Menopause with Soy

According to a study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who had a diet rich in soy reduced the symptoms of menopause by 40% as compared to women who had no treatment. During menopause, women experience a loss of the hormone estrogen which causes symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, sleep problems and night sweats to occur. Because the isoflavones in soy contain a plant-based estrogen similar to human estrogen, adding soy to the diet helps to replace the lost estrogen and reduce the negative symptoms. Treating menopause with soy instead of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) also reduces the woman’s risk of developing uterine and breast cancer.

Soy Improves Bone Health

Adding soy to your diet can improve bone health in two ways. First, isoflavones in soy work to inhibit bone breakdown much as estrogen does. In women experiencing menopause, soy actually helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by replacing the lost estrogen that causes bone breakdown. Second, a diet rich in animal fats (red meat, dairy products) can cause calcium to be eliminated from the body through the urine. By eating a diet rich in soy instead, you reduce the risk of eliminating the calcium you need to keep your bones healthy.

Soy Prevents some Cancers

According to an article titled Soy Protein: Can it Really Prevent Cancer? by Suzanne Clark of Vanderbilt University, studies have shown that adding soy to the diet can reduce the risk of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. The high antioxidant properties as well as isoflavones in soy help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, more studies need to be done before the scientific community completely understands the soy-cancer connection.

How to Add Soy to Your Diet

Eating soy food products is the best way to add soy to your diet. There are an abundance of soy food products on the market to make it easier to add soy to the diet. Food products like soy milk, soy nuts, soybeans, tofu, soy cheese and soy yogurt are readily available. There are also products such as soy oil, soy flour for baking, soy nut butter and soy meat products. For the optimum health benefits, it is recommended to eat 100 to 200 milligrams of soy each day. For those who cannot get enough soy through foods, it is also available in capsule and powder form. There are no known side-effects from eating soy or taking the proper dose of soy supplements.

Article by Deanna Lynn Sletten Copyright 2010

Sources:
Soy Protein: Can it Really Prevent Cancer? By Suzanne Clark @ Vanderbilt University
Soy Foods Association of North America "Science Shows Soy Helps with Weight Management"
Benefits of Soy
Soy Isoflavone Reduces Menopausal Symptoms

How to Stop Belly Bloat

2010-06-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
Don't you hate that bloated feeling? Seems like just when you are feeling good about your body, your belly bloats and you can't wear your favorite jeans, let alone put on a swimsuit. Well, here are some reasons why you are experiencing belly bloat so you can avoid it.

How to Stop Belly Bloat
By Deanna Lynn Sletten

You slip on a favorite pair of shorts or slinky tee and notice your belly is suddenly bigger than it was yesterday. No, you are not gaining weight; you are just experiencing belly bloat. Belly bloat happens to us all but it can be avoided. Bloating generally comes from the foods and drinks you consume. Certain foods cause gas to build up in your intestinal tract which makes your stomach feel full and bloated. While some of the foods that cause bloat are part of a healthy diet, others are foods you can live without. Here is a list of foods to avoid or eat in moderation to stop belly bloat.

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a sweetener made from the natural sugars found in fruit such as apples. It is an additive in many products such as chewing gum, cookies, light yogurts, syrups and soft drinks as well as many other foods. Sorbitol is not easily absorbed by your body so it stays in your intestines and produces gas. Only 10 grams of sorbitol can cause you to feel bloated. When you consider that there is 20 grams of sorbitol in one stick of gum, imagine how much you are getting each day from other foods in your diet. Cut out foods containing sorbitol and stick to real sugar (in moderation) which digests naturally and doesn’t cause belly bloat.

Sodium/Salt

Sodium, even in small amounts, attributes to belly bloat. Your body only needs one teaspoon of salt per day to function properly, yet most Americans consume three times this amount. Too much sodium causes cells in the body to retain water, thus causing bloat. Since sodium is in most processed foods, it is best to check labels so you can control how much sodium you eat.

Caffeine

Caffeinated sodas, tea, coffee, chocolate and energy drinks are just a few of the caffeinated foods and drinks that contribute to belly bloat. Stimulants in these products cause stress to the body which then secretes hormones that cause bloating. Switch over to drinking more water for a healthier body and a bloat-free belly.

Fruit

Fruit is a necessary part of a healthy diet yet it contributes to belly bloat. The fructose in fruit metabolizes slowly and eating too much at once can cause it to ferment in your intestinal tract and cause gas. Make sure to eat the recommended two cups of fruit per day for your health but stagger fruit in your diet throughout the day to lessen the chance of causing belly bloat.

Vegetables

Like fruit, vegetables are necessary for a healthy body but many can cause gas and bloating. The high fiber content in vegetables takes longer to digest and causes the belly to extend. It is important to get 3 to 5 servings of vegetables each day, but like fruit, stagger it throughout the day so you don’t get belly bloat.

Three Secrets to Losing Belly Fat

2010-05-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

How to Lose Belly Fat In Only 5 Days: 3 Secrets For A Flat Tummy Revealed

By Jason Clemens

So what's the fastest way to lose belly fat? It's a shocker to most, but crunches and sit-ups don't qualify. In fact, if you're desperately trying to lose your fat tummy it's almost a certainty that abs exercises are going to leave you with less than hoped for results. The answer to your fat-free stomach lies in three completely natural little secrets. And whether you simply want a flat tummy or "6 pack abs" these three fat loss secrets are guaranteed to deliver.

So if you're desperate to see some results, and see them quickly, then get ready to take a few notes because the following three secrets can erase a large portion of your belly fat in as little as 5 days.

Secret #1: Absolutely No Bread

It's not that bread is bad for you, it's just that it's a highly dense, carbohydrate rich food that provides your body with loads of energy. Remember... your goal is to create a calorie deficit. This will force your body to burn its stored fat reserves. The fastest way to create a calorie deficit is to eliminate the carbohydrate dense foods in your diet.

Secret #2: Up Your Leafy, Green Vegetable Intake

The greatest fat burning foods on the planet are leafy, green vegetables. This is simply because they are nutrient rich, low calorie foods. You need your metabolism functioning at peek efficiency if you're going to get rid of belly fat and this requires and abundance of nutrients. So by consuming a lot of green leafy vegetables you can ensure you body gets the nutrients it needs without an abundance of calories.

Secret #3: Animal Protein In The P.M.

The eating habits of most people are mixed up. People tend to consume animal proteins (Chicken, Steak, etc.) throughout the day and then snack on carbohydrate rich foods at night (Ice cream, Desserts, Chips, Pasta). The last thing you want to do if you're trying to lose belly fat is go to bed with a stomach full of carbs.

If losing stomach fat is top priority than you need to rearrange your diet.

First and foremost, desserts (which you should keep to a minimum) need to be consumed in the non-P.M hours. This will allow your body to burn them off before you go to bed.

Second, your P.M. meals need to consist of animal protein foods such as chicken, lean red meat and fish. Throw in a spinach salad with your P.M meals and it will work wonders for burning off that fat tummy.

So there you have it. Whether you want 6 pack abs or just a flat tummy, simply follow these three secrets and you will lose belly fat fast and achieve your goal!

About the Author: Jason Clemens is a leading weight loss and nutrition expert. "Learn the simple, step-by-step weight loss formula for losing 30lbs In 30 Days - using the ancient, almost magical power of four basic, all-natural principles!" ==>Visit http://www.naturalexplosiveweightloss.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_747666_23.html

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Best Ab Exercises for Women

2010-05-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

Discover the Five Best Ab Exercises for Women

By Chris Deltise

Women wanting to look attractive and sexy are always looking for the best ab exercises so they can look good in a bikini on the beach or just wearing skimpy summer outfits. The abs are the center of the body and eyes are drawn naturally to this area. A firm trimmed midsection besides looking very appealing says a lot about the lifestyle and fitness of the person. You carn't just buy a beautiful midsection the same way you buy beautiful clothes, you have to earn them with determination and discipline.

Diet and the food you eat are part of the program to obtain beautiful abs, as the fat has to be stripped away to reveal the toned midsection beneath. Replacing junk food with fresh healthy foods not only helps in the fat burning process but enhances the health of the individual. Abdominal exercises themselves are also employed to tone and firm up the abs.All round body exercises are also utilised to develop core strenght and firm the entire body. Cardio exercises need to be aded in order to speed up the metabolism and burn excess belly fat.

Five Best Ab Exercises for Women

1) Crunches, still one of the best ab exersises known to both men and women. No need for fancy equipment they can be performed anywhere.

2) Leg raises, performed in a variety of ways (lying, seated, hanging)they are one of the best ab exercises employed by fitness trainers to professional bodybuilder and athletes.

3) Star jumps, Performed vigorously and quickly are not only a good warm up exercise for an ab workout but will provide a good cardio workout burning belly fat fast

4) Hula Hoops, another excellent ab exercise for women.Using a weighted hoop for added resistance they can be performed while watching TV or a DVD, a 10 -20 minute ab workout while you would normally be seated and having you mind occupied while exercising passes the time quickly.

5) Step ups, again another best ab exercise for women that can be done anywhere including watching the TV, tones and firm the hips and mid section as well as developing the shape of the legs, they are also excellent as a fat burning exercise.

Chris Deltise has over 20 years experience as a trainer in many Gyms throughout Europe and the UK.

Learn how you can melt away the fat and develop beautiful sexy flat abs in the shortest time possible.

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Tone the Inner Thighs

2010-05-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

How to Do Inner Thigh Exercises

Author: Dr. Mital John

Some focus more on thigh reduction and muscle toning; others focus on muscle growth supplementing fat-burning. Depending on what you find most comfortable and effective, you can choose from these basic exercises that any healthy person can perform. For each exercise, however, remember to stretch first to reduce the risk of pulls and strains.

Try varying the Step 1 exercise by using a stability ball. Instead of using a handheld weight, hold the stability ball with your upper hand on the inner thigh of your straight leg. Raise and lower the ball in a measured movement. Perform 3 sets of 10 reps.

Ballet Squats

Stand with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart and toes pointed comfortably outward. Maintain a straight back and rest the hands on the hips. Bend at the knee into a plié position (ballet movement) with knees bent to 90 degrees. Return to start position. Your movements should be slow and measured with emphasis on maintaining an upright posture by pulling in the stomach muscles.

Leg Lunges

Standing with your back straight, stomach tight and feet together, step 3 feet in front of you with your right foot and steadily lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground (your right knee should be just over your toes).

Stand with a straight back with feet placed slightly apart. Hold onto a wall or chair for balance, if necessary. Beginning on the right side, lift your right foot off the floor, point your toes and sweep the foot in front of your body to a crossover motion in front of your standing leg. Keep this movement fluid and return to your start position. Complete 10 sweeps for each side, increasing as your thighs get stronger.

Leg Lifts

Spread out your exercise mat and lie on your side with your bent arm supporting your head. Bend your top leg and place your foot on the floor in front of you. Focus on your posture--straighten your back and tuck in your stomach. Lift your bottom leg straight into the air, keeping your foot flexed. This movement should be controlled as you tighten your thigh muscles with the movement. Lift the foot about 6 to 8 inches, hold for a three counts and return to the start position. Try for two sets of 10 reps for the first week, working up to three sets of 10 reps as your legs get stronger.

Incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your routine. You cannot tone your inner thighs unless you exercise to burn fat. Your exercise regimen should include three to five days of walking, running, aerobics or swimming to really burn calories. Remember that you need to burn fat to make it disappear. While you're burning fat, work to strengthen and tone the underlying muscles.

You may be interested in reading Inner Thigh Exercises and Weight Loss. Also visit more on Natural Supplements

Lose Weight with Pilates

2010-05-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

Pilates for Fitness and Winsor Pilates for Weight Loss

Pilates has been about the most successful fitness programs across the world. Many are eager to embrace this form of fitness since it is simple to follow. Winsor Pilates alternatively involves slow moves that are performed with minute attention to how each one should be carried out and is focused on the problem of weight loss.

Mari Winsor is the founder of Winsor Pilates. She is a dancer, teacher, author, and the foremost Pilates instructor on the globe. Her signature workout style "dynamic sequencing" is a low-intensity body sculpting and calorie-burning workout. Mari has several internet sites, two Pilates studios in West Los Angeles and Hollywood, California and enjoys her many high profile clients. Quantity is not important at least quantity when following this regime.

Pilates works on the premise that the mind is the ultimate power source, and controls every motion of the body. Transmogrify it into a goal to improve the balance of the body and enhance it's appearance. So a possible Pilates performer should be informed from the start that he is not supposed to increase the mass of muscle. It is only when the mind is disciplined that the body is going to move exactly as the discipline has outlined. This fitness program can be practiced with or without Pilates machines with there being many variations one could use. The philosophy works around these basic concepts - centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement.

It is fundamental to execute them perfectly as the instructor shows.It is important to execute the moves exactly as the Pilates instructor defines, failure to do this can lead to not having the full benefits of this fitness program. The practice is becoming really popular nowadays as more people realize the benefits it may offer by inculcating these graceful moves into your daily life. With its focus on achieving inner balance and maintaining equilibrium is very much in demand during these turbulent times. To start your own program, all you have to do is to order the DVDs and you should soon be moving toward making this regime associated with your daily life. Everyone can afford a Pilates machine and is really easy to practice every day. It even accommodates pregnant women and children. Pilates used to assist people who were recovering from physical injury and this is where Moira Merrithew became exposed to this form of fitness program. Through this disciple she met Romana Kryzanawska one of Joseph Pilates’ disciples. She introduced Moira to this fitness program and Moira’s interest and dedication for Pilates made Stott Pilates a reality.

Pilates actually created a revolution on how people view fitness and had created awareness on thinking about using these gentle moves to sculpt the body. In the final analysis, it is focused on being the best you will be by leading a healthy and well balanced lifestyle.

About the Author:
F.T. is a man who has the passion for writing and likes to express his emotions through the net. Visit
Winsor Pilates Workout

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Lose Weight in 2010

2009-12-31T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Are you tired of the fad diets, detox diets and diets where you have to buy expensive food that still leaves you hungry? Losing weight does not have to be a complicated process full of self-deprivation. Making a few health changes to your diet or eliminating one or two foods a day is all you need to get you started on your weight loss goal. Yes, by eliminating one food a day that you normally eat – one regular soda, one donut or one candy bar – you can lose weight over the year. Here are some articles that will help to give you ideas on how to lose weight without feeling deprived.

Quick and Painless Tips to Lose Weight
http://www.life123.com/health/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/quick-and-painless-tips-to-lose-weight.shtml

How to Make Five Simple New Year’s Resolutions to Change Your Diet and Lose Weight
http://www.ehow.com/how_5781704_make-change-diet-lose-weight.html

Lose Weight with Simple Diet and Exercise Tips
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/221142_lose-weight-with-simple-diet-and-exercise-tips

Boost Your Metabolism to Lose Weight
http://healthmad.com/weight-loss/boost-your-metabolism-to-lose-weight/

Five Tips to Lose 20 Pounds this Year
http://healthmad.com/weight-loss/five-tips-to-lose-20-pounds-this-year/

How to Find Time to Add Exercise to Your Life
http://www.ehow.com/how_5088812_time-add-exercise-life.html

How to Stop Compulsive Eating so You Can Lose Weight
http://www.ehow.com/how_5381472_stop-eating-can-lose-weight.html

How to Burn more Indoor Calories
http://www.ehow.com/how_5719514_burn-indoor-calories.html

Good luck losing weight in 2010!

Women and Weight Loss

2009-10-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Women have their own needs when it comes to losing weight. Don't you just hate it when you and your spouse diet together and he loses weight quicker than you do? Because women naturally carry extra fat in places that are harder to lose from, men can lose weight quicker. Men also have a higher metabolism than women, so they burn off calories faster doing less exercise. Here are links to some weight loss articles targeted at helping women understand their bodies so they can achieve weight loss.

Female Fat Cells and Lipogenic Enzymes by Jessie Roberts
This article describes how estrogen affects dieting in women.

Why Can't I Lose Weight? by Scott Olson
Top Ten Reasons Why Women have Difficulty Losing Weight

Turn on Your Weight Loss Hormone by Prevention Magazine Online
Banish your bad hormones and crank up good hormones with this 4-week plan.

Belly Fat in Women: How to Keep it Off by the Mayo Clinic

Hope these articles help!

Tips on Losing Weight after Having a Baby

2009-09-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hello,
Getting back in shape after having a baby can be difficult, but it can be done. Here are links to articles on how to lose the weight after the baby.

How I Got My Body Back - After the Birth of My Baby

Lose the Baby Belly and Beat the Baby Blues

How to Lose Baby Weight Fast

How to Lose Weight after Pregnancy

Links to Weight Loss Articles

2009-09-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Here are links to more weight loss articles that might interest you.

How to Eliminate Bloating Through Your Diet
Do You hate that bloated feeling after you've eaten? This article tells you what foods to avoid in order to elimate that bloated feeling.

Family Weight Loss - How to Lose Weight Together
Losing weight together can be easy and fun. This article will give you tips on how to lose pounds as a family.

Five Ways to Start Losing Weight Today
Great tips on how to start your weight loss today.

How to Lose Weight Sleeping
There is a link between the amount of sleep you get and weight loss or gain. This article will clue you in on how sleep can help you lose weight.

Links to Weight Loss Articles

2009-09-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Here are some more links to weight loss articles that might be of interest to you.

Easy Tips to Lose One Pound a Week
Losing weight doesn't have to be difficult - if you just drop one or two foods from your diet you may be able to lose one pound a week. Read this article for more information.

Boost Your Metabolism to Lose Weight
The fastest way to lose weight is through cardio exercise like running or using an eliptical machine. This article gives information no how to boost your metabolism.

Belly Fat after Age 40 - The Causes, Dangers and How to Lose It
Ever wonder why your belly began to grow after you turned 40? This article explains why we get that belly and the danger of letting it grow too big.

Eight Reasons Why Fad Diets Don't Work
Fad diets help you lose weight fast but most people gain it all back in a few months. This article describes why fad diets don't work and what will work for you.

How to Find Time to Add Exercise to Your Life

2009-09-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

By Deanna Lynn Sletten

You purchased a gym membership and promised yourself you’d go there at least three times a week but in the end you just couldn’t find the time to get there. Or you purchased a treadmill with the purpose of exercising at home yet it just sits there in the corner collecting dust. The biggest problem with exercise is finding the time to exercise.

Between working and taking care of our families, finding time to exercise is almost impossible for many of us. Or so it seems. But the truth is, with a little effort you may be able to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week.

The first thing you need to do is start keeping track of how you spend your time each day for about a week. Be honest with yourself on this so you can find the time you need to work out. Do you have a long lunch at work? Do you spend hours on the computer when you get home just chatting with friends? Are you constantly sitting in your car for large chunks of time waiting for your children to finish a sport or activity? How much time do you spend in front of the television in the evening? By writing it all down, you may be able to find blocks of time that you could use for exercise.

The next thing you need to do is decide what type of exercise suits your lifestyle. Does walking on a treadmill while watching television in the evening work well for you? Or maybe you’d prefer taking a 30 minute walk on our lunch break each day. Whether you prefer walking, running, weight training, aerobics, swimming or any other type of physical activity, all that matters is you are moving your body in a positive way.

Now you need to match the blocks of time you have found with the exercise style that works well for you. It may be that you can do several different types of exercise each week. You can use your elliptical machine one night and maybe walk at lunch another day. Maybe you could visit the gym for weight training once a week for 30 minutes and take evening walks the rest of the week. You can even include the family by going on a bike ride, walking or playing a game of basketball in the driveway together. You will be surprised at how much exercise you can fit into your daily life if you really try.

Finding time for exercise is important so you can maintain a healthy weight which in turn helps your body stay healthier. Try these tips and see how much time you can find to add exercise to your life.

(Copyright owned by Deanna Lynn Sletten. May not be copied or reproduced in any way without written permission by the author.)

Find a Weight Loss Program that Works for You

2009-09-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

By: Philip Nicosia

Millions of people struggle with weight story, a personality, or a lifestyle issue that affects whether or not that weight control technique will help them shed those pounds.

But while nothing works for everybody, there is something that will work for you... and the challenge is to find it, identify it, and stick to it.

For some people, appetite control is extremely difficult. Some weight loss programs try to tackle that problem by delving into the psychological issues behind food (these are the total lifestyle body makeovers, whose techniques include keeping a food journal and coming to terms with one's body image). Others address the problem through metabolism, introducing or removing certain foods in one's diet that are said to either trigger appetite. Still others, like diet pills, act as appetite suppressants. Other programs rely on nutritional substitutes, like heavy shakes that make one feel full and provide adequate vitamins and minerals, while reducing calories.

For others, it's not appetite that's problematic, it's the kind of food they eat. Certain diet programs give very strict diet regimens that promote weight loss, because of the way the body digests the food. Some are short-term, meant to shed pounds over a limited period of time; others are long-term lifestyle changes. The success of these diet programs depend largely on the person's weight loss goals and level of commitment. Needless to say, if you just want to drop a dress size for your wedding, you may not be ready to go into something long-term. But if you have health problems, and need to control cholesterol levels, then a short-term solution would not be very effective.

Other weight loss programs are closely tied with exercise routines. Of course, not all exercise regimens will appeal to an individual; some would find yoga interesting, while others would prefer something like belly dancing. The idea is that one picks what is most interesting to them-the more fun and enjoyment they derive from a routine, the more likely they will stick to it.

The mistake that many people make is that they don't consider their own lifestyle or personality when they try a diet or exercise regimen; they go with what everyone else is doing, or jump on the weight loss bandwagon on the premise that it worked for so-and-so. While it's okay to experiment with different regimens (wouldn't hurt to try anything once), ultimately it is a search to find what is personally appealing.

Another secret to maintaining a diet or exercise regimen is to have very clear and realistic goals. "Be thin" is too general to be meaningful; pinpoint a number, and a date: "Lose 15 pounds by September." And to avoid discouragement, that goal must be humanly achievable and should never compromise with one's health. If a diet makes one dizzy, or radically affects one's ability to be fully alert and functional, then stop immediately.

Luckily there is a wide variety of weight loss regimens. There's bound to be one that will help one meet one's goals and match one's lifestyle.

Author Bio

Resources.eu.com is an online resource centre covering many topics including health and fitness and weight loss.

Overcoming the Weight Loss Plateau Using the Calorie Shifting Diet

2009-09-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

By James Ma

After dieting for weeks and happily seeing 20 pounds dropped off but the following week the weighing scale does not reflect any changes in weight difference. There is no need to panic; you have just hit a weight loss plateau. Overcoming weight loss plateau is easy by changing eating habits, diet and exercise routine. However, not everyone likes to exercise and challenge himself or herself to push through his or her physical limits to breakthrough weight loss plateau. Good news! There is an effective solution to overcome weight loss plateau without much exercise.

In order to depend on diet for effective weight loss, one way is to trick your body into thinking you needs more energy to stay alive while eating less. As a result you body will burn more calories than you consume. But your body is a smart machine; it can easily get used to your diet efficiently and therefore will automatically adjust itself to burn less calories for your daily activities. Therefore, the solution is to use a unique eating system called Calorie Shifting Diet to confuse your body. Do not be alarmed by confusing the body into maintaining high metabolic rate, it will not physical harm the body.

This diet consists of four meals per day. Each day you will eat different food, from meats to fruits and vegetables. This means your body will receive different calories each day. One day you will consume 1800 calories and the next could be 1200 calories. Since your body does not establish any eating habits, it keeps burning calories and maintains high rate of metabolism even when you are eating less. With the high metabolism rate, more calories will be burned all day long resulting in continuous weight loss. Overcoming weight loss plateau has never been that easy with calorie shifting.

Some people believe this method does not provide enough nutrients to maintain good health. This is not true. You have the choice to choose the food that you like to eat and add it into the menu. The online diet generator will automatically compute for you. Of course, it is best to combine different kinds of fruits, vegetables and lean meat to help you overcome weight loss plateau and maintain good health at the same time. You have a choice to eat sensibly or continue to put on more weight. As is any weight loss diet recipes, you may add a little vitamin and mineral supplements alongside the diet to ensure your body receives all the necessary nutrients to maintain good health. Vitamin does not contain calorie, it is safe for any weight loss program.

Calorie shifting diet could be one of the best ways to overcoming weight loss plateau without intensive exercise. Of course, it is recommended to include exercise to speed up weight loss and to maintain general health. However, if you choose to lose weight based on diet alone calorie shifting could be the best method available. There are other low calorie diets available but it may not be healthy for long term weight loss as compared to calorie shifting diet. Low calorie diet will force the body to go into starvation mode and starts to lower metabolism and store fat. Calorie shifting diet does the trick well to literally force the body to maintain high metabolic rate all day long. The success of weight loss is all about maintaining high metabolism and overcoming weight loss plateau will become an easy mission with calorie shifting.

The secret to overcoming weight loss plateau starts from the best diet to kick start your weight loss journey.

Where Diets Go Wrong

2009-09-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

By Cebotari Vlad

When we discover that we are heavier than we want to be, we have a natural inclination to eat less food. We may skip lunch or eat only a tiny amount of our dinner in the hope that if we eat less our body will burn off some of its fat. But that is not necessarily true. Eating less actually makes it more difficult to lose weight.

Keep in mind that the human body took shape millions of years ago, and at that time there were diets. The only low-calorie event in people's lives was starvation. Those who could cope with a temporary lack of food were the ones who survived. Our bodies, therefore, ahve developed this built-in mechanism to help us survive in the face of low food intake.

When researchers compare overweight and thin people, they find that they ear roughly the same number of calories. What makes overweight people different is the amount of fat that they eat. Thin people tend to eat less fat and more complex carbohydrates.

Losing weight is not something one can do overnight. A carefully planned weight loss program requires common sense and certain guidelines. Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformantion floating around and lots of desperate people are easily duped and ripped off.

Every day one can open a magazine or newspaper and see advertisements touting some new product, pill or patch that will take excess weight off quickly. Everyone seems to be looking for that "magic" weight loss pill. Millions of Americans are trying to lose weight, spending billions of dollars every year on diet programs and products. Often they do lose some weight. But, if you check with the same people five years later, you will find that nearly all have regained whatever weight they lost.

A survey was done recently to try and determine if any commercial diet program could prove long-term success. Not a single program could do so. So rampant has the so-called diet industry become with new products and false claims that the FDA has now stepped in and started clamping down.

Being seriously overweight and particularly obesity can develop into a number of diseases and serious health problems, and it is now a known fact that when caloric intake is excessive, some of the excess frequently is saturated fat.

The myth is that people get heavy by eating too many calories. Calories are a consideration it's true, but overall they are not the cause of obesity in America today. Americans actually take in fewer calories each day than they did at the beginning of the century. If calories alone were the reason we become overweight, we should all be thin. But we are not. Collectively, we are heavier than ever. Partly, it is because we are more sedentary now. But equally, as important is the fact that the fat content of the American diet has changed dramatically.

People who diet without exercising often get fatter with time. Although your weight may initially drop while dieting, such weight loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the weight returns, it comes back as fat. To avoid getting fatter over time, increase your metabolism by exercising regularly.

Select an exercise routine that you are comfortable with and remember that walking is one of the best and easiest exercises for strengthening your bones, controlling your weight and toning your muscles.

By changing your eating and exercise habits you can begin to lose weight and get healthier.

(Photo by Zsuzsanne Kilian @ Stock.Xchng)

Is Weight Loss All in the Mind?

2009-09-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

by: Mary Watson

Is hypnosis the answer to losing weight quickly and safely? Well look into my eyes as I delve into the deepest, darkest recesses of the mind to find out.

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist. When you're under hypnosis, your attention is highly focused and you're more responsive to suggestions, including behavior changes that hypnotherapists say can help you lose weight.

Many advertisers on the Internet want you to believe that because hypnosis is "natural", it cannot harm you and is therefore a superior method of weight loss.

First, it cannot be claimed that hypnosis is one of the most natural ways to lose weight because it's obviously not natural to be in a state of induced hypnosis. But, it could be a safe method. The real question is does it work?

One reason for weight gain is quite often psychological. Basically, it's all in the mind. So one way to effectively reach your weight loss goal is to reach deep down into your subconscious mind and change the way you think about food.

Imagine if you could lose weight by just relaxing and listening to a pleasant and friendly subliminal message. A message that could be implanted deep into your subconscious. A powerful message that affects your attitude to eating and exercise without you even realizing it.

Hypnosis is a unique experience, but you are always in control. Hypnotherapy is rather like being in a daydream; it is a state called "trance". It might be a deep trance or it might only be a light trance.

With hypnosis there's no right or wrong way to experience it, there's just different ways for different people. In general a hypnotic trance is a very pleasant, relaxing and tranquil experience. While hypnotized you will be aware of all physical sensations around you, perhaps even noticing sounds you wouldn't otherwise be aware of.

When you are fully conscious again you may be able to recall everything that happened while you were in your trance-like state, depending how deep your trance was.

Hypnosis can help by allowing you to overcome unconscious obstacles which prevent you from losing weight and from keeping weight off. You know that eating too much is not what you desire and you know that exercise and sensible diet are important.

However, these are not conscious, logical issues. Successful weight loss is all about re-educating your unconscious mind and forming new healthy habits.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy work on a subconscious level to help you achieve a state of mind where you can actually lose weight willingly. Until you are genuinely willing to make these changes, your weight loss goals will seem very difficult to achieve.

So, on the surface it would appear that hypnosis as a weight loss aid has something going for it. After all, hypnosis works for many smokers to lose the habit. But the truth is hypnosis is slow to produce any long-lasting results and will not work for everyone.

Studies have shown that one reason why it doesn't work is because it requires weekly consultations with a qualified hypnotist for at least 8 weeks or more in addition to any self-hypnosis or listening to some recorded message. So, in order to achieve any benefits from its use, hypnosis must be practice on a regular basis for a significant period of time.

And, as we all want to see results almost instantly, this method is very likely to fail because we just don't have the patience to continue. Then there's the cost to consider. Hypnotherapy sessions can be very expensive.

Hypnosis may work for some and not for others but it may be an alternative if you have already tried to lose weight the traditional way. If you are determined to lose weight you may just find hypnosis an extra boost to keep you on your journey of weight loss.

Be Your Perfect Weight for Your Perfect Wedding Day

2009-09-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Edited by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Looking "runway perfect" is a wedding day ideal for many women. Some will do just about anything to make their wedding day perfect, including going after quick, fast wedding day weight loss programs. Like a wedding, weight loss takes planning. The same efforts that you put into your wedding planning, taking care to ensure that you have the most lovely flowers, delicious food, and space for your guests to enjoy, is how you should approach your wedding day weight loss. You did not plan your wedding one day and get married the next, so your weight loss should not be handled like that also.

Like your wedding, your weight loss should lead to a long-term life commitment. You have decided to make a commitment to someone, and with that, you anticipate having good days and not-so-wonderful days at some point. This, too, holds true for weight loss. It should be a personal commitment to do something that will help you as a person.

There may be some instant gratification that comes along with losing a few pounds quickly, and, of course, there are plenty of ways to do it. From using fat binders that can constrict natural movement or that hold you so tight that you can barely breathe, to not eating for long periods of time. Neither of these is the best for your body, and will quickly wear thin on you emotionally as well.

To effectively lose weight for your wedding day, you should:

Keep your overall health prominent in your mind. You may not want to do any fad diets or use harsh chemicals that can cause issues to arise.
Go for long-term results. For most, the wedding is only one day, but if you plan for the long term, you can have a life of good health.
Do your best to stay motivated. There may be days when you feel good about your weight loss efforts, and days when you don't. Don't let the rough days keep you from staying the course. You should believe that you can be successful.
Find an outlet. Weddings and weight loss can be very stressful. Take some time out to do something that you want to do for yourself to release some of the tension. It may be something creative or family-based. No matter what it is, use it to maintain a good balance and outlook.
Be true to yourself. Lose weight because you want to, not because someone is telling you that you should or have to. It's not about other people; it's about your happiness.

Whether you want to lose only a few pounds or many you can achieve your goal by doing one or more of the suggestions below:

Eliminate one or two high calorie items from your diet each day. Yes, by eliminating one snack and one high calorie beverage or side-dish you can lose weight. For example: one candy bar at 160 calories plus one latte at 120 calories means you’ve eliminated 280 calories in one day. That’s 1960 less calories in one week. In a month’s time you will lose a little over 2 pounds. While this might not sound like a lot of weight just pick up a 2 pound weight and see just how heavy it is.

Add 30 minutes of walking, 5 days a week. Walking briskly for 30 minutes burns off 130 calories. That adds up to 650 calories used in one week. If you added exercise with eliminating two foods each day you would almost double your weight loss in a month’s time.

Substitute low calorie foods for high calorie ones. You don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight. Substitute a banana for the donut you usually eat at coffee break time, an apple instead of a cookie for a snack and a regular coffee for a high-calorie cappuccino. You’ll be surprised how much you can eat and feel full without eating as many calories as before.

You can be successful in achieving your wedding day weight loss goals. Just keep everything in perspective, do your best to stay focused, and relish this fantastic time to be the center of attention. It's your wedding day and you will be fabulous!

How to Boost Your Metabolism with a Healthy Breakfast

2009-09-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Kristie Leong

If you’re trying to lose weight, you know how important it is to boost your metabolism so you can burn off those calories at the fastest rate possible. One of the best ways to boost your metabolism is to start off the day with a healthy breakfast. Why is a healthy breakfast so effective in boosting your metabolism?

A healthy breakfast reduces cravings.
When you start the morning with a nutritious and filling breakfast you reduce your hunger level and prevent cravings for carbohydrates and other unhealthy foods.

A healthy breakfast gives you energy.
When you have a higher energy level, you burn more calories If you try to carry out your routine tasks on an empty stomach each morning, you’re bound to work slower and burn fewer calories.

A healthy breakfast primes your metabolism to work at peak capacity.
If you approach the day without eating, your body may sense starvation and slow down to conserve energy. This means you’ll burn fewer calories.

Several studies have shown that eating healthy foods first thing in the morning reduces the risk of both insulin resistance and obesity. This means that you not only have less of a chance of becoming overweight, but also a lower risk of diabetes.

In order to boost metabolism without adding excess calories, your breakfast foods should be chosen wisely. It’s important to consume some protein each morning which helps to prime your metabolism and conserve your energy levels. You should also add whole grains to your breakfast selection. A Harvard study showed that people who eat whole grain cereal each morning have a lower risk of heart disease as well as overall mortality. It’s best to avoid high glycemic carbohydrates such as white bread toast, croissants, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. Limit your consumption of high fat, calorie dense foods such as sausage and ham.

Some healthy breakfast choices to increase your metabolism might be:

An egg white omelet with vegetables
Scrambled egg whites seasoned with salt and pepper
Oatmeal with fruit and skim milk
Whole grain cereal with skim milk
Sugar free yogurt sweetened with fresh fruit

Be careful to avoid breakfast foods that are advertised as healthy, but contain high amounts of sugar. An example of these would be many of the granola bars and cereal bars being advertised as breakfast foods. If possible, avoid buying presweetened oatmeal and whole grain cereals. Buy your whole grains and oatmeal raw and prepare them in your microwave. Add a little fruit or artificial sweetener to suit.

(This article was purchased from Constant-Content for Use Rights Only)

How to Control Hunger Cravings Using Natural Foods

2009-09-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

by Dr. Kristie Leong

If you’re trying to lose weight, you know how difficult it can be to overcome cravings. The good news is you don’t have to resort to unnatural means such as diet pills to stop hunger cravings. You can stop hunger pangs naturally through the foods that you choose to eat. Certain types of foods are known to not only stop those hunger cravings but also boost your energy level so you’ll burn more calories. Here are foods that can help you control your hunger:

Eggs

If you enjoy the taste of eggs, you’re in luck. Studies have shown that people who eat eggs for breakfast are more likely to consume fewer calories later in the day. There are a variety of delicious ways you can prepare your eggs including scrambled, poached, or incorporate your eggs into a healthy omelet with lots of heart healthy vegetables. If you’re worried about the fat content in eggs, use egg substitute instead.

Whole grain cereals

Eating high fiber, whole grains cereals promotes a sense of fullness and helps to stop hunger cravings from developing. A bowl of bran cereal or oatmeal with skim milk is an excellent way to get a healthy dose of fiber and calcium as well as keep you hunger free for the remainder of the morning.

Vegetables

Vegetables tend to be high in fiber and water content which gives you a full feeling without adding additional calories. Two ways to use vegetables to help you consume less at meal time is to eat a fresh salad before each meal or a hot bowl of vegetable soup. You’ll end up eating less at your regular meal due to the high water content of the soup and vegetables.

Fish

Eating protein with a meal helps to fill you up and stop hunger pangs later in the day. Most fish is high in protein and low in saturated fat and calories which works to your advantage. A particularly good choice is wild salmon which contains significant amounts of omega three fatty acids which are good for the heart.

Spicy foods

Eating spicy foods has been shown to not only to stop hunger cravings but may also increase your metabolism for short periods of time after eating them. The active ingredient in chili peppers is capsaicin which has a variety of healthy properties in addition to appetite control. When you eat a spicy meal, you tend to consume less food and calories than if the food is bland.

Stopping hunger pangs and cravings doesn’t have to involve the use of potentially dangerous diet pills. You can use the power of natural foods to help control your appetite and limit your calorie intake. It’s the safest way to lose those excess pounds.

(This article was purchased from Constant-Content for Use Rights Only)

Losing Fat Fast - Is it Possible?

2009-09-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

The first thing you need to know if you want to lose fat is that you need to burn fat. Burning fat is all about using up more calories than you consume each day. If you eat more calories than your body uses throughout the day, these additional calories will be stored as body fat. To prevent a build up of body fat you need to either reduce your calorie intake or increase your daily activity level - doing both will have the best effect on reducing body fat.

This simply means that the more fat you want to lose, the greater the amount of calories you have to burn off. To help you achieve and speed up your fat loss, here are few things that help:

Speed up your metabolism — Exercise speeds up the metabolism. The more active your lifestyle, the more likely you are to have a quick metabolism and lose weight.

Metabolism does control weight, this is true. What most people don’t know is that they do in fact have the ability to control and adjust their metabolisms and thereby control their weight. Exercise does speed the metabolism up. It may not be healthy for all of us to get into a highly active lifestyle all at once but it is possible to get there as quickly as you safely can as an individual.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet — Be sure to eat a variety of foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products. Also include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, and legumes. Drink lots of water and go easy on the salt, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fat. In addition to taking on an active lifestyle you will need to stop looking at food consumption as a means of gratification. This is what causes us to be gluttons. Instead of stopping when our hunger is sated we continue on until we are stuffed to get more enjoyment out of it. The best rule of thumb is to stop eating before you are completely full so you don’t overeat.

Get plenty of rest and sleep — Sleep and other lifestyle patterns can help or hinder the rate at which we metabolize foods. An active lifestyle should lead eventually to being able to exercise to exhaustion; this in turn should keep your metabolism quick and your fat content low. By extending yourself to your limits you fully utilize the lungs, heart, and muscles and burn fat most efficiently.

Be strong mentally — Try not to be obsessed by your weight. Everyone has a bad day. Don’t punish yourself. Try to lose any guilt feelings towards the mistakes you have done. Instead, just move on, start again and enjoy life as it comes.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifestyle, not just a diet. You can achieve your goals and continue to enjoy a healthy weight if you follow these suggestions for life.

The Difference Between Weight Loss and Fat Loss

2009-09-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

By Deanna Lynn Sletten

Many people confuse weight loss with fat loss. When you lose weight you do lose a certain amount of fat – but if you lose weight too quickly you lose more muscle than you do fat. That is why it is important to lose weight slowly so you burn off the fat and keep the important muscle weight.

Losing all the fat in your body is also not healthy. Fat is stored in the body as “emergency” energy in the event you cannot eat for a long period of time. A little fat on the body is not only healthy, but necessary.

However, there is a difference between a little fat and being considered obese. Today, 60% of the population is categorized as obese – a startling number compared to 20 years ago. By health standards, a man is considered obese if his body fat level is over 25% and a woman is considered obese if her body fat level is over 30%. Carrying too much fat is a strain on your legs, knees and hips as well as your heart and other body organs. Even losing 5% of this weight can help you live a healthier life.

The Best Way to Lose the Weight

The best way to lose weight is slowly, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself or exercise strenuously. In reality, drastically depriving yourself of food can cause the opposite effect of weight loss. When you starve your body it begins to go into starvation mode and will hold onto the fat cells, so all you end up losing is muscle weight. Eating a healthy diet will actually speed up the loss of fat, especially when you add exercise.

What is a healthy diet? A healthy diet consists of small portions of all of the food groups. Foods containing protein and carbohydrates shouldn’t be eliminated just because the also contain fat. There are good fats and bad fats, so it is important to include a few of the good fats while you are losing weight.

Good fat comes from healthy natural foods such as red meat, lean chicken or salmon. They also come from essential dairy products such as eggs, milk and yogurt. Bad fats come from high sugar foods like candy, cookies and cakes.

The same is true with carbohydrates. While foods rich in carbohydrates tend to also have high fat content some are more health than others. The body needs a certain amount of carbohydrates to convert into energy. Carbs are also a natural hunger-suppressant as they fill you up for a long period of time. The best sources of carbs for your diet are beans, fruits, vegetables and whole-grains.

What about Exercise?

The type of exercise you choose should be determined by your current health and weight level. If you haven’t exercised in a long time you should start out slowly by walking up to 30 minutes at a time, 3 times a week. Once you begin to lose weight you can increase your walking time or begin to add other exercise such as weight lifting. Biking, swimming and jogging are also great ways to exercise. Any exercise that raises your heart rate will not only keep you heart healthy but also increase the rate of weight loss. Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine.

What about Weight Loss Products?

There are some products on the market that can help you speed up your weight loss by helping to burn fat faster. Do your research before trying these products to make sure they are healthy for your body and your heart. Many work by using high amounts of caffeine to suppress your appetite and this could be dangerous if you have high-blood pressure or any type of heart condition.

Fat is a necessary part of a healthy diet as long as you are careful about how much you eat. With a combination of a balanced, healthy diet and exercise you are sure to see results in only a few short weeks.

You Can Lose Weight in a Healthy Way

2009-09-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome

Losing weight can seem difficult especially if you have been starving yourself and exercising with little result. But you can lose weight in a healthy way. This website is dedicated to teaching you healthy ways to look at food, diet and exercise in order to obtain the healthy weight you desire. It doesn't matter what your age or body weight is - you can lose weight.
Explore the site and read the articles that best pertain to your weight loss situation. Maybe you are trying to lose weight for a special event or maybe you are trying to get your entire family healthy. There are articles for everyone. The important thing is that you are taking that first step to weight loss - learning how to do it right!
We also have links to weight loss articles all over the web. We are always seaching for new, interesting articles that can help you on your weight loss journey.