Making Sense of the Weight Loss Game

Do you have a goal to lose weight this year? One of the greatest challenges in life is weight loss and the struggles to finally win the battle of the budge. The fuss over weight loss has turned up many diets and fads. This article will look at one certain weight loss diet that has gained in popularity in the weight loss scene.

Why Do We Gain Weight

When a person eats bad carbohydrates and fats they feel hungrier, compelling them to eat more than they should, which produces obvious weight gain. When you eat right, you become healthier and can usually enjoy weight loss faster!

So, Whats New

If you are like many you are probably sick of trying new diets that do not work! What allegedly makes weight loss with the South Beach Diet different is that you discover a new way of life. Weight loss is really about learning to rely on the right carbohydrates and fats. Learning a new way of eating enables you to live contently without eating the bad carbohydrates and fats.

Dr. Agatston, a cardiologist, initially developed the weight loss diet for his chronically overweight heart patients. Soon, thanks to his patients' results, Dr. Agatston's diet became quiet the thing in the Miami weight loss scene.

When the book was released in 2003 it started flying off the shelves. Dr. Agatston has further released two more cookbooks and a healthy food guide. The initial book was released in soft cover in 2005. The success of these books has been phenomenal.

Here is a daily sample of a South Beach Diet.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup sliced tomato, and Coffee.

Lunch: Turkey slices and low fat cheese on 2 cups mixed greens with 1 1/2 tbsp low sugar salad dressing made with olive or canola oil. Caffeine-free diet soda, water or tea.

Dinner: Baked salmon with lemon slices and steamed broccoli, or large vegetable salad with 1 1/2 tbsp low sugar salad dressing made with olive or canola oil, Caffeine-free diet soda, water or tea.

If you are looking to tackle weight loss this diet may be one to check out. Unfortunately, one of the toughest aspects of weight loss is the ability to stay disciplined. No matter what weight loss program you choose, stick with it!

Get the facts about Weight Loss visit http://Weight-Loss-Exposed.com where you will find valuable weight loss tips, resources, and helpful Weight Loss information.

How To Get Rid Of Love Handles

How to get rid of love handles is a burning question in a lot of peoples minds these days, since with the hectic lifestyles and lack of time to eat proper meals most of use turn to fast food. There are literally thousands of products that promise to get you in shape and lose weight. From diet pills to supplements to new amazing exercise equipment all with promises of that miracle fix to one of the biggest problems in this country today, weight. Today we are going to look at the only real cure for this problem and at the same time learn how to get rid of love handles and stomach fat.

It is amazing that so many of use continue to look for a miracle solution on how to get in shape and lose weight with out changing any of our destructive habits. Well there arent any miracles or secrets.

The closest thing to a miracle is liposuction, and that is not a permanent fix with out a change in lifestyle and bad habits.

When you thank about it, you probably did not get out of shape over night. To solve the problem and reach your goals you are going to need a structured diet and exercise program that you will have to follow and work at to reverse the affects of years of bad habits.

A proper diet is a good start to in achieving your goals. Eliminating some things such as soda, candy and other snack foods that so many of eat throughout the day will produce a big difference and is a good start to a healthy diet. If you combine this with smart meal choices and smaller portions you can achieve great results and is a good start on getting rid of your love handles. But this is only a start.

Besides diet you will need to increase your activity level. The best way of doing this is to establish a good solid exercise program to follow. I am not talking about any of those infomercial miracle programs either. You will need to follow a legit exercise program, and when you first start the program that you choose should be structured to you fitness level.

This information is not anything new but from time to time we need to be reminded. For some reason everyone knows what it takes to stay in shape and are not willing to do what it takes. How to get rid of love handles is no secrete, but most people just dont do or change the things that are required to reach their goals

About The Arthur:
William Hutchinson
I am a diabetic and struggle with this daily. There are little tricks and methods to slightly speed up your results. To learn more visit: http://www.HutchesAffiliateMarketing.com/lovehandles

Taking a Weight Loss Dietary Supplement

A weight loss dietary supplement has different functions in helping aid weight loss. Some act as appetite suppressants to help users eat less, therefore have lesser calories to burn. Some act as thermogenics, increasing the body's metabolism, which means increasing its calorie-burning abilities, while some, on most occasions, support a combination of functions for speedier weight loss.

More doesn't mean more

Some people make the mistake of taking a weight loss dietary supplement above its recommended dosages. This not only futile because studies have shown that increasing dosages have very little effect on its efficacy, but more importantly can be very dangerous. While most weight loss dietary supplements have natural ingredients, that doesn't mean that more of it in your body is good. Dosages are given for that reason. Because the ingredients in the weight loss dietary supplement have undergone testing and have yielded to be most effective in particular potencies, anything less or in excess will negate the benefits that a particular weight loss dietary supplement has in general. You know that anything in excess is bad for you and that also applies even if you're taking more of the good stuff.

Buy safely

Apart from taking proper dosages, safeguard your health by buying only from licensed manufacturers and distributors. The weight loss industry is home to a lot of amazing products, and consequently, to those who want to cash in on the many who are eager to use these products. As such, counterfeit products might be circulating in your locality. To be sure, buy only from respectable drug stores and health food stores. Be wary also of weight loss dietary supplements that are extremely inexpensive. You may be tempted to buy them because of the savings you'll get but there's always a catch. And your health isn't something so easy to get back once you get caught.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

The My Alli Weight Loss Plan

Gary Foster, Ph.D. is a renowned leader in the field of weight management and behavior change. Dr. Foster is a Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. He has previously served as Clinical Director of the Weight and Eating Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Foster is also a frequent presenter at national and international meetings and has treated overweight patients in individual and group settings for over 20 years.

To achieve your weight loss goals, one should begin with meal planning which is one of the great benefits The My Alli Weight Loss Plan offers. Life is tempting. Fast-food advertising encourages you to grab and go - often at a good price that could cost you in the long run. If you know what to expect from the outside influences, you can avoid the setbacks that lead to weight gain. In the meal planning section of The My Alli Weight Loss Plan, you'll find resources including meal planning, articles, and information that can help you: fight cravings survive slip-ups control portion size. You can also discover which popular low-fat diets work with the alli program. Just view alli-friendly diets. Some diets are not a good fit with alli, because they allow high-fat foods that can cause treatment effects while using alli capsules. With alli, you need to stick with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. How many daily fat grams and calories are right for you? Check out the target fat & calories charts in The My Alli Weigh Loss Plan

Four ways to fight cravings:

Has this happened to you? You see a chocolate bar in a magazine, so you take a walk to the nearest vending machine. Or you're in a movie theater, and the smell of popcorn drives you to the concession stand. These triggers are hard to handle. What can you do?

1 Get moving. Physical activity can boost your mood just like food can - and it uses up calories, rather than adds them

2 Swap foods. If you crave a salty snack, have some salted celery or a lettuce salad with lemon juice and a sprinkling of salt. If you want something sweet, try sugar-free hard candy or a fruit-and-ice smoothie with no-calorie sweetener

3 Distract yourself. If you can do something else for just a few minutes, the craving may pass. Drink water. Sometimes thirst disguises itself as hunger. But make sure you're not substituting water for food; you still need nutrients as part of a healthy diet.

4 Survive the occasional slip-ups! Weight control is not like walking a tightrope - one misstep and you're done. If you slip, don't fall overboard with bad choices.

Here are a few tips for recovering according to the My Alli Diet Plan:

> Accept that mistakes happen.

> Forgive yourself and focus on what to do differently next time

> Persevere with your goals.

> Avoid "all-or-nothing" thoughts of giving up Identify triggers.

> Try to understand what events or circumstances led to overeating. Anger, stress, loneliness, or the blues are common. Be ready for them Turn your back. When you sense a trigger, change direction. If you're in the kitchen, or near food, go somewhere else. Just walk away

> Do the math. If you want to be sure you have a low-fat diet, count the grams of fat in your daily food choices and compare them to the number of grams of fat suggested for your calorie level. For more on daily fat and calorie targets, there is target fat and calories charts inside the Alli plan.

> Watch portion size.

One of the easiest weight loss strategies is to control portion size. Get to know the amount of food you eat. Often, we get in the habit of eating a certain amount of food to feel satisfied. And if we're served more food, we'll eat more. Studies have shown that the more food people were given to eat, the more they ate, regardless of their feeling of satiety. If the full plate is important to you, try using a smaller plate. Or keep portion sizes the same, but cut calories by lowering the fat in your dishes and adding more low-calorie ingredients like crunchy vegetables and leafy salads.

>Pay attention to the "energy density" in foods.

All foods have a specific number of calories within a given amount (volume). Foods such as desserts, candies, and processed foods are high in energy density. A small volume of these foods has a large number of calories. But some foods such as fruits and vegetables have low energy density. So you can have a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories - and that can fill you up without the downside of calorie overload.

The My Alli Diet Plan is truly a very realistic and easy way to lose weight fast and I wouldn't hestitate recommending it to anybody wanting to feel and look better. We are in charge of how we look and if you have the will, maybe the Alli Plan might just be the way.

For 10 quick tips on portion control, Click here

If you wish to find out more about the My Alli Weight Loss Plan and what it offers, Click here

Weight Loss Check List - 3 Essential Tips To Keep You On Track

Its the little things that matter when you are trying to lose weight. Most diets require a person to make extreme changes in their lifestyles. This is why people fail. However, you can make some adjustments in your life that will help you to lose weight in a healthy and easy fashion by following a couple of the following tips.

1. Keep track of your beverage consumption. The calories from what you drink add up. A full sugar can of cola has close to 200 calories in it. If you multiply that 200 calories by 30 (days in a month) then you have 6000 calories that month just from drinking one can of cola a day. When you exceed your bodies needs for calories beyond 3500 calories, you gain a pound. Conversely, if you consume 3500 less calories, you lose a pound. This means that you can lose close to 2 pounds every month by leaving that can of cola out of your diet. The same holds true for other soft drinks.

2. Get moving every day: You dont have to engage in a formal exercise program to fit exercise into your life.
-Try to walk as often as possible. Bring your lunch to work and go for a walk at a park, mall or shopping center during your break.
-Always take the stairs, even if you take them for just a few floors.
-If you are in a waiting room and have a long wait, get up and walk around.
-Get up and move while you watch television. Get up during every commercial and jog or skip in place or do a couple of abdominal exercises.
Remember that your body continues to burn calories for a few after you stop exercising.

3. Program yourself to lose weight. You need to engage the power of your mind to help you to lose weight. Consider the priority that food has in your life and to shift that. Try to visualize your body losing weight. When you wake up in the morning, affirm that you are going to integrate some healthy habits into your day.

Remember, there are a number of small changes that you can make in your life to lose weight. With a couple of easy adjustments, you may lose up to 20 to 30 lbs. a year.

Renee Feldman MA, is the founder of http://www.reducecellulitenow.com and other Popular Free Tip Courses that are helping people worldwide to achieve their health, fitness and wellness goals. Renee is an Exercise Physiologist and Certified Personal Trainer. One of the first personal trainers in the United States, Renee is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine which is the Gold Standard in fitness. Her vast experience ranges from competitive bodybuilding, where she won state wide championships to professional dancing. She has used her education and experience working in Corporate Fitness Centers, Health Clubs, Y.M.C.A.'s and J.C.C.'s. Renee has an incredibly well developed and diverse background in Meditation and Guided Visualization which she has used to coach her clients for the last 12 years. She also lectures and presents information on fitness, wellness and the mind/body connection. She successfully demonstrated her cellulite reduction methods on television.

The Science of Post-Workout Supplementation

In this age of complex supplementation, the basics of sport nutrition have been forgotten. Simply put, in order to gain mass one must stay in an anabolic state. The off-season is often a time focusing on strength gains and hypertrophy. Hypertrophy is an essential step towards developing greater strength because in the most basic equation, strength correlates with the cross-sectional area of the muscle. The easiest way to attain a consistent anabolic response is through a properly scheduled intake of nutritionally balanced meals.

A post-workout drink is optimal for providing a balance of protein and carbohydrates plus it provides the added bonus of an improved hydration state. The continuous presence of calories will fuel muscle growth and recovery by supporting protein and glycogen synthesis. Periods of more than 3-4 hours without food can result in a post-absorptive catabolic state.

Muscles are catabolized ("broken down") for energy, essentially robbing you and your muscles of all the hard work and growth previously accomplished. Immediate post-exercise energy consumption prevents a delay in the delivery of energy substrates to the depleted muscle cell and is therefore an important method to remain anabolic.

Post-exercise feeding can reduce protein degradation and increase protein synthesis. Post-exercise caloric intake is also necessary to restore liver and muscle glycogen (energy stores). The benefits of a post-workout drink occur through the hormonal response to insulin and an increase in amino acid uptake by muscles is also due to an increase in insulin.

Carbohydrates should not be left out of the post-exercise drink because these are necessary to provide the insulin "spike" and are an essential source of energy for the recovery process. Ingesting a mixed carbohydrate-protein drink after training is much more anabolic than consuming only a protein shake. This is also an optimal period for creatine supplementation.

Protein provides the building blocks for muscle growth. Protein synthesis increases 50% 4 hours and 109% 24 hours post-training (MacDougall et al., 1995). The nutrient intake within this time period thus has important implications on the adaptations to training. The protein recommendation for experienced strength athletes is ~1.7 g/kg while novice trainers may need more.

Requirements may transiently increase if intensity or volume of activity is increased (up to ~ 2g/kg) and especially for athletes involved in both strength and speed activities. Endurance exercise also creates an increase in protein requirements of up to 1.6 g/kg/day because of the increased catabolism of protein during exercise. To assist in meeting these requirements, supplements should contain at least 20 grams of protein per serving.

The carbohydrate component should consist of simple, high-glycemic carbohydrates because of their fast absorption into the bloodstream and quick delivery to muscle cells (Burke et al., 1993). The increased cellular sensitivity to insulin post-exercise provides for the rapid delivery and intra-cellular transport of glucose and creatine.

Carbohydrate has also been shown to have anabolic properties by helping to prevent protein breakdown through the insulin-stimulated response. The increased insulin levels post-exercise will not result in increased fat storage because skeletal muscle is the primary consumer of nutrients at this time.

Carbohydrates cause glycogen re-synthesis and replace the fuel source previously depleted by your resistance training (Ivy et al., 1988). The dose of post-exercise carbohydrate should be 0.7-1g/kg (Burke et al., 1996). Glycogen synthesis can be impaired by eccentric muscle damage (Costell et al., 1990) but fortunately most resistance training programs incorporate several rest days before the same muscle group is trained again, therefore glycogen depletion is not a big issue in strength training. The highest rates of glycogen re-synthesis occur following energy intake that is within 2 hours of training (Ivy et al., 1988).

Perhaps even more important is the fact that 1g of carbohydrate per kg body weight has been shown to prevent post-exercise protein breakdown (Roy et al., 1997). Therefore optimal energy intake occurs A.S.A.P. (within 30-minutes of training may be best) in order to raise insulin levels (an anti-catabolic hormone). This is extremely important if a second training session is scheduled within 24 hours, such as for individuals training related muscle groups and athletes involved in tournament play.

Individuals that often complain of the inability to gain weight simply do not consume enough calories. A large portion of the sedentary American population has mastered weight gain through inactivity and constant snacking. Although fat weight is not desired, this scenario can be applied to hard-gainers. Work hard, rest harder, and stay anabolic. Post-exercise supplementation is essential for enhancing the anabolic environment and limiting the potential for exercise-induced catabolism. These extra calories are welcomed by the hard-gainer for use in growth and repair.

A post-exercise drink also prevents dehydration as any weight loss following training is due to water loss. A post-exercise drink or meal-replacement can contribute to the recommended intake of 10 cups of non-caffeinated fluids per day. Because there is no difference in energy replenishment between a liquid and solid food source (Burke, 1996), a liquid meal-replacement appears to be most beneficial post-exercise.

Other factors demonstrate the superiority of meal-replacements over whole food in the post-exercise condition. Often athletes are fatigued and do not have the energy to prepare food or do not have the appetite for whole-food. Finally, the access to food may be limited, especially when other priorities demand time and energy and limit the time the athlete has to return to work or home while still consuming adequate calories.

References

Burke, L.M. Nutrition for post-exercise recovery. Aus. J. Sci. & Med. 29: 3-10, 1996.

Burke, L.M., G.R. Collier, and M. Hargreaves. Muscle glycogen storage after prolonged

exercise: effect of the glycemic index on carbohydrate feedings. J. Appl. Physiol. 75: 1019-1023, 1993.

Costell, D.L., D.D. Pascoe, W.J. Fink, R.A. Robergs, S.I. Barr, and D. Pearson. Impaired

muscle glycogen re-synthesis after eccentric exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 69: 46-50, 1990.

Ivy, J.L., M.C. Lee, J.T. Brozinick, Jr., and M.J. Reed. Muscle glycogen storage after

different amounts of carbohydrate ingestion. J. Appl. Physiol. 65: 2018-2023, 1988.

MacDougall, J.D. et al. The time course for elevated muscle protein synthesis following

heavy resistance exercise. Can. J. Appl. Physiol. 20: 480-486, 1995.

Roy, B.D., M.A. Tarnopolsky, J.D. MacDougall, J. Fowles, and K.E. Yarasheski. Effect

of glucose supplement timing on protein metabolism after resistance training. J.

Appl. Physiol. 82:1882-1888, 1997.

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Mens Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com

The One True Secret of Weight Loss

Are you ready for the one true secret of weight loss? You feel like you've tried all the diet products and every diet program to burn your body fat and yet still haven't cracked the weight control diet code. You've had it up to your top chin with fitness tips and exercise tips and all the health and fitness information that's been flung your way.

Do you want the good news or the bad news? Actually they are both the same and they are in fact, old news. So here is the news.

The news is that if you intend to lose fat and get fit, the secret of successful weight loss has 3 basic parts. You have to

1. Consume less calories and make better food choices

2. Exercise regularly, 6 days out of 7

3. Be patient. You know by now that there is no quick fix.

If you are not prepared to accept these facts, you are going to keep on dreaming, flinging time and money into frustrating sure-fail snake oil, smoke and distortion mirror strategies. I think life's too short to delude yourself and you deserve better.

Let's just do it. Let's burn your body fat and get fit, starting today. You might hate me now, but you'll thank me for it later.

In order to consume less calories and make better food choices, you just have to be informed. Get a decent pocket calorie counter that also tells you the basics about protein, carbs and fats as well as nutritional information on vitamins and minerals. It will set you back pennies and take probably about an hour to read, cover to cover. While you're at it, invest a piddling amount for a diet and exercise diary and write in it every day.

Just by buying these 2 cheap products, you will have increased the likelihood of losing weight and maintaining your goal weight by an exponential figure. You don't have to believe me, this is a fact from health and fitness research scientists the world over.

Get into an exercise routine. Set aside a time that you will find difficult to sabotage and fill it with walking, walking, walking (briskly, mind you - no waddling). Take 45 minutes to 1 hour and learn to enjoy your energetic walk. You will ache like mad for the first few weeks or even months, but that is just your muscles waking up in a bit of a state of pleased shock and surprise that you have actually found some use for them. You will get past the discomfort (pain, if you're a sook) and this habit will be the best fitness strategy you will ever invest in.

You cannot expect a magic fix for the fat you've spent months or even years accumulating. Once you can face this sour little snippet, you will start to lose weight. Yes, it will be slower than you want, but much faster than if you just loll about plumply wishing for it in a vague and negative kind of way.

After 6 weeks of decent diet and regular exercise, you will feel good every day. After 12 weeks, people around you will want to know your weight loss secret. After 6 months, you will never look back. You can thank me for it then.

Rosie Peters gives common sense advice, encouragement and tips for weight loss, sensible diet and lifelong fitness. Sometimes it's not what you want to hear, but what you need to know. Visit Rosie at weight-control-diet-advice.com.

Rosie's e-Book Weight Loss is Simple may be what you're after. Check it out & get a free copy of her popular e-Book Fat No More, while you're there.

The Biggest Secret to Eating Carbs

If you were told to ever stay off carbs and that's what all diets tell you to do, because of the way carbs turn into sugar. How does some people end up losing weight with such high carbs then? This would drive most people, who enjoy eating carbs very nuts.

One diet is high in carbs, and the next diet is low in carbs, or the next has not even a slice of bread. Here is the correct answer to battling the question about whether carbs should be used and how much carbs should be used in your nutrition plan.

There has been a big debate over carbs, especially since Atkins made low carb, the mainstream. Even before Atkins, there were low carb diets and ketogenic diets. The low carb diet was very popular in the competitive bodybuilding area, before Atkins.

As a competitive bodybuilder, I've learned how to manipulate carbohydrates to perfectly give me fat loss results while maintaining my energy levels for my daily energy expenditure which includes my weight training workouts and cardio machine workouts.

I've learned that if someone that does not exercise has been on low carbs for a couple of weeks or more and they introduce the carbs back in their system, they will gain weight. It won't be all fat, but a small portion will be and the rest will be glycogen (energy) and water. Initially, they will retain water and glycogen for the first couple of days, and then the fat will start coming back. The amount of hydration and glycogen storage (energy) stays high since you're not releasing this energy and sweat through exercise. This can cause bloat and puffy skin as well as weight gain even with the slightest bit of increase in the amount of carb intake.

Low carbs also reduce your caloric intake, which in the long run also reduce the amount of leptin produced by your body. Effects of lowered leptin levels are increase of appetite and gradual decrease in metabolism. That's why the typical person gets hungrier after starting a diet. The drastic effects of low calorie and low carbs can lead to leptin insensitivity, which I hope you don't encounter. This occurs mostly in hardcore low carb dieters or very obese people. Most people that encounter this don't even know it. There is recovery plan to fix your metabolism, and yes it includes eating carbs.

If someone is exercising, on a low carb diet and introduces more carbs into their system, this extra glycogen will simply be used to fuel the body and help the person perform better. Much more carbs are needed to produce a weight gain and puffy result. So, it takes the right amount and the right types of carbs to get the best results for rapid fat loss and muscle maintenance. Carbs are far from being the enemy of any real fat loss diet.

Now, there are different types of carbs. Carbs can be complicated. The 3 types are fibrous, simple and complex. There are foods, that combine all three or two or just one. Each type can also have different effects on your insulin. There are low, medium and high "glycemic" carbs within 2 of these different types of carbs (simple and complex). In general complex carbs are lower in the glycemic values, but not always. Simple are be medium to high and fibrous are always low.

For the most part of the day, you should be introducing low glycemic complex and fibrous carbs, except, after a cardio session or before / after a weight training workout. Carbs are the first source of energy for your body. Without carbs, you can still lose body fat, but you will lose much more muscle, therefore really you are decreases fat and muscle which means your just getting smaller but not leaner and defined.. So it all depends on your goals.

Once you have the right types of carbs for your body, you then need to make sure you're getting the right amount of carbs, to fuel your body every day. You can only generalize the amount of carbs needed and then tweak your carb intake after you calculate your basal metabolic rate, your caloric expenditure, your protein requirements and fat requirements. Your activity and goals will dictate how much carbs, including the rest of the macronutrients you need day to day.

Robert Lagana
http://www.laganafitness.com

Rob Lagana has competed in numerous bodybuilding competitions and is a multi-title winner. He currently holds the 2006 Mr. Canada Natural Bodybuilding title in the NFSO & IFSB. Along with experience, Lagana Fitness provides the ultimate pathway to achieving your cosmetic, health and wellness goals. Lagana Fitness offers unique motivational, bodybuilding and fitness tips with free subscription to his newsletter.

Weight Loss Programs

Weight loss does not only hinge on watching the food that you eat and the pounds that you lose. It is focused more on an individual's overall health. In fact weight loss programs should never be about lifetime denial and abstinence from foods that make you happy. The ideal weight loss program allows one to adopt an enjoyable eating plan that is not tedious to follow. There are no drastic restrictions on the food and it does not subject you to extreme hunger. One eats well and eats right; there is variety as well as volume, the choices are pro healthy heart and a healthy mind. If serving sizes and the number of servings are adhered to, then the uphill task may be difficult but certainly not unachievable.

Exercise even if moderate is an essential component of any weight loss program. When one is active, one is using up calories that have been accumulated while eating. No activity means that the calories pile up and so do fat cells. Physical activity is not the same as exercise while both are recommended to make a weight loss program a success. Physical activity may just mean being active around the house like cleaning, dusting, mowing, gardening etc. Exercise is the activity which is undertaken as a regime on a regular basis in a repetitive manner with varying intensity. Any form of strenuous exercise needs the doctor's advice more so if one has a medical condition. It is advisable not to push oneself to the limits where there is the possibility of a breakdown. One's stamina and physical fitness can be built up gradually by following the regime regularly. Patience is definitely the name of the game.

If one is clear about the ideal weight that one wants to achieve, then the trick is to start right away and to stay motivated. Remember, there are no magic tricks waiting to happen out of weight loss pills and diet programs. Emphasis on the targets, your determination to follow and achieve what you have set out to do and the motivation to keep your goals in sight makes the seemingly impossible, possible indeed. It is not the weight loss program that is a sure bet, it is your will, your resilience and your endurance that can turn it into a sure bet!

We have a list of some of the best weight loss programs along with diet & exercise programs available. Find a healthy diet fitness program with TopHealthSpot.com online.

Drinking Water To Lose Weight - Is It All It's Cracked Up To Be?

One of the most simple ways to lose pounds is by drinking water to lose weight. Water is a completely natural and vital part of our bodies (in fact, 66% of our body weight is composed in water). It would only make sense that water plays a vital role in weight loss as well.

To really benefit from this completely natural remedy, you should first begin your day with a cool glass of water. If you drink tea or coffee, drink the tea or coffee right after drinking some water. Drink another glass before breakfast.

See, most people drink beverages that are calorie-heavy and unnecessary. They'll make you gain weight to boot. If you drink water before breakfast, some of the hunger that you have will be filled from the water, and you might not feel the need to drink the high calorie beverages.

If you drink water before every meal, this will give the same effect. Since water takes up stomach-space, you're likely to feel fuller faster... just by drinking 8 ounces of water. Your food will settle faster as well.

Overall, drink water as often as you can. It really has strong advantages in helping control weight loss by discouraging you to binge from foods. It also frees your body from harmful toxins that are otherwise fatal. It makes us feel healthier and more energetic. There's no side effects to it, costs nothing, and has no calories.

Drinking water in addition to a calorie cycling diet is the equivalent of typing in your ideal weight on a scale and making it come true.

Rachel has lost 100 pounds herself, and is passionate about helping other people do it too. She has been featured in Woman's World, among others.

You can check out more about calorie cycling on her website at http://www.yayFOOD.com.

How Can Men Lose Weight Fast?

95% of men diet the wrong way. They starve themselves, they work out too hard, and they don't rest. Find out how men can lose weight fast. Do you have a big reunion coming up? Do you need to get ready for the summer months? Either way you are a man and you need to lose weight fast, so what do you do?

Most Importantly, Remember to Eat!

This is the most important item to remember. Your body needs fuel. The difference is your body needs lean, effective fuel, so it can burn fat, and build muscle. So, you have to remember to eat first thing in the morning, and 5 other times during the day - in small portions.

ip #1: Lots of Water

Water is your metabolism's life juice. Your body thrives on having the proper hydration to metabolize food into energy. Moreover, if you're drinking water, that means there is a good chance you're not drinking soda or other highly caloric drinks. Drink lots of water and stay away from empty calories, if you want any shot in losing weight fast.

Tip #2: No Bad Fat

Sounds kind of paradoxical doesn't it? Not really. There are good fats and there are bad fats. If our question is, "Can Men Lose Weight Fast?" we have to be prepared to cut out our most favorite food: red meat! Instead of red meat we need to concentrate on good fats which are available in kalamata olives, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and avocados. These good fats have been scientifically proven to reduce body fat, particularly in the stomach!

Tip #3: More Fiber

Your diet must consist of at least 100% of the daily recommended allowance if you have serious hopes of shedding any pounds soon. Fiber in your diet has an incredible ability to detoxify your system and rid your digestive tract of any unwanted matter. Did you know John Wayne is believed to have had over 50 pounds of matter in his colon upon his death? As men, looking to lose weight fast, step one should be ensuring that we get a good dose of fiber at breakfast time.

In my personal experience, detoxification is of the utmost importance when attempting to lose inches fast. In detoxifying your system, you liver has a better shot at metabolizing food, and your confidence is often boosted immediately from the drastic inch and/or weight loss.

Brandon Walsh is considered an expert author in the fields of biblical nutrition, weight loss, and healthy living. He is dedicated to educating future generations to live healthy, and feel great. If you are looking to learn more about healthy living and would like to subscribe to his free, extremely popular newsletter, check out: healthy dieting.

Five Tips for Easy Weight Loss!

Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially considering the fact that more than half of us are overweight. As we get older we often get busier, and before we know it, find ourselves in the prime of our lives and packing a few extra pounds. With so little extra time in our lives it is impractical to join the latest diet fad or commit to sweating in the gym for hours at a time. Are we all destined to grow outward with each passing year, or is there a simple way for us to reclaim our healthy figures? If you struggle with your own battle of the bulge read on for five sure-fire ways to drop a few of those unwanted pounds, and more importantly learn how you can prevent packing them in the first place!

TIP #1: Burn it in the AM.

What is the first thing you do when you wake each morning? Hit the snooze button for an extra ten minutes of sleep? What if I told you that taking those ten minutes to strap on your sneakers and walk briskly around the block would result in weight loss? It has been proven that aerobic activity done on an empty stomach forces your body to recruit energy from storage. This energy is stored in the form of fat on various parts of your body. Starting tomorrow take ten minutes out of your morning to walk briskly around the block before breakfast. Do not sprint or try to walk as quickly as possible, simply walk at a pace that you could comfortably hold a conversation. This seemingly small activity, when done consistently, will produce surprising weight loss results!

TIP #2 Forget Your Late Night Snack.

I know I am not the only one who enjoys eating a snack after dinner! Although comfort food seems to taste better right before bed, it is also more prone to stick with us when eaten late at night. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night. If you go to bed at 10pm, finish eating for the day no later than 7pm. Once you have made this a habit you will be ecstatic over the long term weight loss!

TIP #3 Kiss that Frappuccino Goodbye.

What tastes better than a frothy, venti frappuccino smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup? While blended coffee beverages have rapidly gained popularity with the masses, their caloric tallies have been all but ignored. Whether you are an avid Starbucker, or only wander in for an occasional treat, it is important to know the truth about what you are drinking. The average Venti sized frappuccino weighs in at 530 calories. This staggering number equals 2.5 bagels, or one third of the recommended daily calories for an average woman. Not only is this an extreme amount of calories to be consumed in a beverage but the calories come purely from sugar, which is easily stored as fat. Next time you are in line at the coffee shop and find yourself eyeing a sugary beverage, redirect your attention to the tea selection, or stick with an old fashioned cup of coffee.

TIP #4 Fuel Your Fire.

Have you ever tended a campfire? You probably remember continuously adding sticks and branches to keep the fire from running out of fuel. Your bodys metabolism is similar in its need for constant fuel. Eating a small meal every three hours is a great way to keep your metabolism high all day long. When your metabolism is high you burn more calories throughout the day and are less likely to store fat. Rather than eating 2 or 3 large meals a day, and allowing your fire to go out, giving way to hunger pains, try eating a small meal every three hours and be amazed at your weight loss results.

TIP #5 Curb Your Carbs

Im sure sometime in the past year you have found yourself subjected to the testimony of a converted low-carb enthusiast. While these people may look great it is definitely not the right diet for everyone. Extreme fatigue, crankiness and downright impracticality are what make this diet a tough cookie to swallow. Cutting one or two carb-filled items out of your daily diet can make a huge difference in meeting weight loss goals. While I wouldnt recommend throwing out your bread basket entirely, consciously cutting carb-filled items out of your daily food intake is a great idea. If you normally have a sandwich for lunch make it open-faced, thus cutting out half of the bread. If you enjoy eating pasta for dinner reduce your pasta portion and add extra vegetables. These minor changes to your daily diet will prove themselves priceless when you step onto the scale!

It is you against the bulge, and now that you are armed with these 5 tips for easy weight loss, I am confident that you are going to win! Keep in mind that consistency is the key. The more effort that you put into implementing these 5 tips into your daily lifestyle, the quicker the unwanted pounds will disappear!

Diana Keuilian, author, ACE certified Personal Trainer, and co-founder of HitechTrainer.com offers online personal training and nutrition programs that fit your budget and schedule. Whether your goal is to lose weight, firm and tone, or to build muscle, HitechTrainer.com will build a custom designed program just for you.

Visit: http://www.hitechtrainer.com/ and begin meeting your fitness goals today!

Muscle Workout - It Is Not Enough Just To Do Cardio

It is not enough to just do cardio exercises. To ensure you have the best looking body possible, you must incorporate muscle workout into your exercise routine. You will be amazed at the results. You dont have to use heavy hand weights or complicated machines in order to get a good muscle workout. You can use light weights with targeted exercises that will have you looking and feeling your best.

If you are serious about building muscle, you need dedication and motivation if you are to succeed. Major motivation factors for you can be the compliments you get on the appearance of your body. It may be having the freedom to choose clothing according to your tastes instead of your size.

When you add a muscle workout to your exercise routine, you can help to quicken results if you are trying to lose weight. You cant turn fat into muscle, but you can cause fat to burn quicker when you use a muscle workout as an aid for weight loss.

The less fat your body carries, the more the muscle is visible to the naked eye. If you work with low weights and high repetitions when you begin your muscle workout, you will be strengthening and building your muscles. It doesnt matter if you use hand weights or prefer exercise machines, adding a muscle workout to your exercise program will have you feeling great.

Keep in mind that when you feel sore after a muscle workout, this is not an indication of a good workout. You should not use muscle soreness as an indication of a bad work out either. Muscle soreness merely means that you are causing your muscles to do something they arent used to doing. Once your muscles get used to being worked out, you shouldnt feel any soreness at all. In the beginning you can expect to feel sore for a few days if not longer, but as your muscles learn what you expect from them, they will be happy with the workout and not afford you much soreness unless you overdo it.

You can be on your way to a firmer, trimmer body with a muscle workout. Any workout is a good workout for your mind and your body.

For more information about Muscle Workout, feel free to visit us at: Muscle Building

You Can Lose 15 Pounds Fast With These Two Changes

Fat loss isn't as simple as fad dieting experts would have you believe. It calls for you to make enormous changes in your life style, of which some are so complicated that they'd drive you nuts, whereas others are so simple and small that you will not even realize the change! The most significant thing to recall when trying to lose fat is that you must take in less calories than you burn in a 24 hour period. Unfortunately, this isn't easy for a big number of people since it becomes very hard to resist the impulse to eat. In this article I'll tell you 2 ways to cut down on calories and stay in shape. If you follow these diligently, you could lose 15 pounds fast.

1. Do yourself a favor. Replace large plates with smaller ones: You may not know it, but if you eat off small plates, you will be able to cut down on your food intake by a huge degree. There is a psychological aspect to it. Here is how: if you put a small amount of food on a large plate, you will think that you are indeed eating very little food. This thought would tempt you to eat more and more, which is not a very good thing. However, if you put the same amount of food on a smaller plate, your brain will think that you are eating a lot of food, because your eyes will see the plate as full! This way you will be able to trick your brain into thinking that you have eaten a large amount of food while in reality it is exactly the opposite. This is a very important step to remember. Even though some people underestimate the importance of this technique, this is really a very easy and pain-free way to cut down on food intake! Not to mention, you'll save a little cupoard space too!

2. Make an effort to only eat quality foods: When it comes to fat loss, it is not only the quantity of food you eat that matters, but also its quality. If you eat foods from fast food restaurants that are rich in calories, you will gain fat instead of losing it. These food items quickly add up, especially with the sides and large sugar filled sodas. It is the same case with processed and packaged foods; most of them are calorie-rich. Some processed foods are being marketed as low-fat and low-calorie products but don't ever believe them! Instead read the labels of these foods and educate yourself! Low fat or low calorie does not automatically mean that it is 'good for you.' You should also educate yourself about the calorie content of the ordinary foods such as vegetables and fruits. You can read about the calorie content of each type of food on the internet, as this information is mostly available online for free. These steps may seem tedious, but remember, once you educate yourself once you can reap the rewards for years to come. Make sure you do your due diligence before purchasing any food items, instead of going by the advertising and hype!

Riley James is an internet entrepreneur who specializes and personal health and vitality. His team personally reviews and analyzes popular weight loss programs on the market and gives them honest reviews. If you would like to lose 15 pounds fast, you can visit their website at http://www.onestopmuscle.com.

The Real Secret to Long Term Weight Loss

In one of the world's largest diet studies, it appears that diets actually damage your health. The results and the problems diets can cause should give you reason to keep reading.

According to Miller Jones, a professor of nutrition and food science at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota...

4th graders are aware of the word diet, especially the girls.

Recently a massive worldwide study concluded that diets don't work long term for the majority of people on them and it might even put your life at risk.

This type of yo-yo behavior is linked to many health problems. Because of the strain on the body of repeated weight loss and weight gain, the researchers found that the dieters would have been better off not dieting at all.

Research has shown the repeated rapid weight gain and loss associated with dieting can double the risk of death from heart disease, including heart attacks, and the risk of premature death in general.

For starters...

When you think 'diet' you are actively engaging in short term thinking. When you start to think of it as something you go on and then off again, that's the wrong direction.

Some of the BEST resources on nutrition are not diets. They are eating plans. They are the basics of eating correctly for the rest of your life. Eating for everyday living is something you can be taught. There's nothing short term about them.

"The benefits of dieting are simply too small and the potential harms of dieting are too large for it to be recommended as a safe and effective treatment for obesity." -Dr Traci Mann

A quick test is to simply look at any given plan and immediately ask yourself...

Can I eat this way for the rest of my life and not fall prey to hunger cravings or temptations?

Frankly...

If you are overweight, then thinking in the short term is exactly why you could be doomed to fail! As you bounce from one plan to the next, you become more and more frustrated.

FACT: Many diets that use a severe calorie restriction just makes it harder to lose the weight the next time.

FACT: Some studies show that repeated weight loss and regain actually increase the changes you'll gain even more weight the next time.

FACT: It shouldn't come as a shock that people who exercise report the most long term weight loss.

Now with all this in mind...

No matter what eating plan you choose or what your goals, just drop the word 'diet' from your vocabulary and pick a plan you can stick with for life. That encourages slow weight loss or weight gain. That doesn't "demonize" foods but helps you pick and choose from healthy alternatives and explains the reasons why.

If you are always changing your eating habits for special events or every 8 weeks, you might be dieting. Before you start your next diet, that's the time to step back and ask yourself if you know all you can about proper, healthy nutrition. Learning how to eat correctly is something you can stick with for life and avoid the common frustrations.

Hurry and grab your own copy of Marc David's 6 Simple Steps to Success in creating your own personal nutrition plan. In just six days, you will learn exactly how to eat and train to burn fat for life without pills or fad diets. This is what you should have learned in the 5th grade but never did. Learn about fitness weight loss programs and the 6 Simple Steps to Successfully creating your personal nutrition plan.

Personal Trainer: No Experience Necessary

I have read many articles like " Before you hire a personal trainer read this " then the article goes on to give you different things to look for, and the #1 is certification, well what everyone should know, is that anyone who can read a book and retain information can become a certified personal trainer.

If you are fat you can become a trainer, if you smoke you can become a trainer, if you are a boozer you can become a trainer.

So even though the a person has no previous experience- they can take an online test and become certified to train you, what I want to know is this who you want training you?

Most people will become the trainers "test subjects" they have no real life experience, they have no idea how to get someone into shape, so does it make more sense to have some one certified or experienced training you ?

Go into almost any gym and you will see some bad trainers, also good trainers, but the bad trainers out number the good trainers.

Personal trainers who don't live what they teach should be ashamed of themselves if they can't take control of their own life, how can they motivate you to better life.

If these trainers want to change peoples lives they should live this way too.

I personally seen people get certified that were fat, even seen one guy who could not even balance himself on one foot, yet they were certified as personal trainers- CRAZY.

Basically what I'm saying is certification isn't always the answer, experience can go along way, if you find the right person.

John Grube is an expert on the subject of bodyweight training. He also has 25+ years of training experience and is the author of The Wildman Training Program manual. For more info http://www.wildmantraining.com.

Laxative Tea For Weight Loss - Weight Loss Secrets About Laxative Tea They Don't Want You To Know

If you are looking to lose weight and trying to do so by using laxative teas, you are literally endangering yourself in more ways than you probably know.

Laxative teas are probably worse than your regular, over the counter laxatives. Why? Because they taste good and because the are often marketed as harmless and actually beneficial because of their herbal ingredients. Don't be fooled. Laxative teas are dangerous because they can be addicting. Laxative abuse can lead to long term problems and health risks that far out weigh their use. Even at a casual pace.

See, laxatives work in the large intestines, not the small intestine were the majority of calories are stored.

Because laxatives stimulate the large intestine, they produce side effects like runny diarrhea, softening of the bones and intense pain. Worse, if you abuse Laxative Tea for Weightloss, you may find yourself unable to have regular bowel movements and even more terrifying, you could end up wearing a colostomy bag.

Believe it or not, people searching for answers to their weight problem have one thing right. The reason that they can not lose weight is because of the toxin and plaque build up in their bodies. Unfortunately, people are lead to think that these teas will help aid in their removal. But as we have already said, that's where laxatives fall short, they stimulate the large intestine only. The real monster, the real weight loss demon lies within the colon.

You have probably heard the saying, "life and death begin in the colon" well it's true.

People that can't lose weight, and have other chronic illnesses should look to their colon for answers. Parasites and plaque build up in the colon is really what is stopping you from loosing weight. Get rid of this FOR GOOD and the pounds will just melt away.

But don't think for a minute that just by doing a "cleanse" that your problem will go away. There are actually 3 factors to regaining colon health and therefore maintaining the perfect weight for your body.

First, you need to understand why diets don't work--actually we just answered that with the explanation of what lives inside most peoples colons. But here's the thing, how did they get there? What do they live on? And How do I keep them from coming back after I get them out?

These parasites and plaque deposits in your colon are actually what is forcing your body to protect itself with fat. That is why today more than ever, Americans a plagued with love handles, excessive fat under the arms, around the hips and thighs. These fat deposits are your bodies way of trying to protect your organs from these toxins.

Get rid of what's in your colon, don't eat the foods that attract parasites and plaque and balance out your body with the right nutrients. Then, the pounds will melt off and you will never have to worry about finding a dangerous laxative tea for weight loss again!

Visit here for more information on why laxative tea for weight loss don't work. If you want to loose find out how to lose weight without dieting then visit http://www.the-best-weightloss-secret.com

Turbulence Training - Fat Burning Exercise Review

Turbulence training was devised by world renowned Certified Strength And Condition Specialist (CCSS) Craig Ballantyne. Essentially he claims this system will allow anyone to achieve significant fat loss and muscle gain from 3 short intense sessions per week. This seemed a little too good to be true, so we thought we would give turbulence training a go.

Firstly turbulence training is doctor approved, and a great deal of emphasis is initially placed on ensuring the user is in a fit state to be undertaking such an exercise plan. IT is advisable to get a medical before undertaking an intense fat burning exercise routine.

Secondly there is great detail on the ideal food groups, and suggested diet you should use while undertaking turbulence training. No great secrets here- its has all been written before.

When you finally get to the exercises, you can see the hard work which Craig has poured into this system. Precise detail is given for exact amount of exercises, sets and repetitions, and most importantly how to combine and vary the workout to ensure maximum results are achieved. The main idea is to maintain a balance of cardio and strength with minimal resting ensuring that an intense workout results. There are also separate details for beginner, intermediate and advanced users.

Conclusion

Craig Ballantyne created turbulence training for people with busy lifestyle's who find it difficult to find time to workout. The program is designed to be performed from your own home or office with minimal extra equipment and accessories required.

Want to learn more about the revolutionary Turbulence Training system? Please visit:

http://www.muscle-building-workout.com/turbulencetraining.html

Weight Loss Enthusiasts - Start Your Motivators!

Ladies and gentlemen, start your motivators!

Welcome to Autumn? Yes, it is technically a change of season, although you'd never know it with our unexpected Indian Summer passing through.

For those of you already well into your weight loss program, you will be well aware that it is not only boy scouts who must 'be prepared'. There is nothing worse than hindering your weight loss efforts by running low on healthy food in the cupboard and resorting to fatty takeaway food as a quick hunger fix.

This month, we look at some delicious low fat recipes that are quick to prepare and will see you through some chilly nights during Autumn and Winter. They are delicious, and will satisfy your craving for some hearty comfort food without sacrificing all your hard work.

As corny as it sounds, healthy food does not have to be boring. Nor is it difficult or time consumin to prepare. The most important thing to remember is to buy the freshest and best quality ingredients you can find and afford. Have a look at our great diet recipes and we'll prove exactly how easy it is to eat well.

Our 12 week Weight Loss Challenge participant, Coral, also gives us an update on her progress. Although the 12 weeks is well and truly over, Coral has been sticking to her weight loss program and seeing incredible results. Coral's stunning results are the product of hard work, determination and motivation.

Coral, as she will admit herself, had no special qualities which allowed her to reach her goals more easily than the next person. Read Coral's weight loss update and imagine how you will feel when you have lost close to 20kg! Something that we have talked about a lot in these updates is motivation. As you are aware, the best intentions will soon pale into insignificance if you are not able to maintain a high level of motivation during your weight loss.

This month we will also be looking at ways to keep motivated. Being able to master these techniques will also prove useful in other areas of your life, particularly work or study. Without being able to keep your eye on the end result, changing your habits will be all too difficult. For those of you who are seriously overweight, mastering some motivational techniques will be essential to dramatically improve your health and for some of you, even save your lives.

Read on, soak up the information and power on into the cooler months. In Queensland, Autumn and Winter are the perfect seasons to make the most of the great outdoors, so get moving!

Yours in health,

Leisa St Ledger http://www.leisassecret.com

Dieting and Weight Loss - A New Programme For Achieving Your New Year Resolution

A world of food abundance; that's the reality we live in on this part of our planet. So after all the over indulgences of the festive season, the New Years resolution for most of us is yet again to lose weight. How many years has this been your resolution? Now be honest with yourself, how long does the resolution last?

How would you like the ability to sustain your motivation all year and find the weight you were born to be? Believe it or not you have that ability right now. The problem is you have probably been looking in the wrong direction and with the wrong mindset. Sustainable motivation is fed by positive thoughts, feelings and actions and not by shame, guilt and self-loathing.

So here we are at the start of 2008 with a great opportunity to change the way you think and live. Change first comes from recognising the starting point from which you want to make the changes. To do this I invite you to answer the following question...

"If you were going to build a machine that produced comfort eating and weight gain, what would the machine need to do?"

Interesting question? I sat down some time ago and made a list of what my machine would be programmed to do. Yours may well be quite different so have a go at this yourself. I decided that my machine would need to be programmed to...

Focus obsessively on food;

Make some food 'Good' and others 'Bad';

Fear the 'Bad' food, restrict its intake and then crave it;

Believe that its present size, shape and weight is never 'Good Enough';

Pick up all the negative messages (viruses) that come into contact with it;

Have an already full memory of 'viruses' of negative messages and beliefs;

Be rebellious sometimes and give out lots of messages as to why the 'Bad' food is deserved;

Quickly bring the emotions of guilt, shame and self-loathing into play when not in rebellious

mode;

Hate its body no matter what size or shape it is;

See exercise or increased physical activity as a painful or boring process;

Make sure its mind is never in tune with its bodily feelings and needs;

Make sure that happiness is a fleeting experience;

Make sure that a 'not enough time' programme deletes thoughts of self-loving actions.

Can you see the pattern of negativity? I realised that nothing programmed in this way can ever sustain motivation for permanent weight loss. The programme needed to be changed. The wonderful thing is that we CAN reprogramme our minds. After all, we ourselves programmed it to comply with the dieting game so we can certainly change the programme again.

Why not make your 2008 New Years resolution to be one of reprogramming, support and self-loving actions. The amazing thing is the results will be the permanent weight loss you have wanted year after year. Isn't it time to make this year the one where you discover the weight you were born to be?

Chrissie Webber is a published author, business coach and leadership trainer. As Managing Director of Life-Shapers Ltd she is developing her online weight-loss motivation company http://www.lifeshapers.co.uk into a franchise of Life Shapers Weight Management Coaches.

Her track record in the area of weight management is firstly a personal one. Following a lifetime of weight issues - at her heaviest, over 21 stone and a massive size 30 - she has personal experience of diets and their devastating effect on size and psyche.

With a background in nursing, psychology and business coaching, coupled with a lifetime of dieting, she developed and successfully used a series of models and tools that enhance weight loss motivation. Now over 5 dress sizes smaller and having sustained her weight loss for several years she has written a book about her motivational journey. Weight Loss, Life Gain - A Motivational Journey to Permanent Weight Loss was published in January 2008 by Accent Press.

Her Blog http://www.chrissiewebber.co.uk and free monthly eZine now offer support to others.

Natural Weight Loss - 20 Tips for Lasting Success and Better Health

Weight loss is a concern for most Americans. Whether you're struggling with those final ten pounds that never seem to budge or you have many excess pounds that are having a negative impact on our overall health, it's time to make a change. Having battled my own weight issues for over 20 years, I now use my knowledge to support my clients to achieve weight loss success.

Like you, I tried almost everything to lose weight, and it wasn't until I took a more holistic approach that I finally dropped 40 pounds. Incorporating what I learned from my experience, I have maintained my weight loss for over six years and counting. Now it's my pleasure to share my secrets with you so your weight loss journey can finally be different with a more natural, healthy and successful approach.

I recommend reading through the following weight loss tips before choosing one or two to start with. After you have successfully incorporated these changes, try one or two more. You do not have to make every one of these changes overnight. Just get started making improvements and be patient yourself. This way you will have lasting success!

• Do not make weight loss your top health concern (concern equals stress); instead seek a balanced lifestyle.
• 95% of all people that go on a weight loss program fail; they continue the roller coaster ride, mostly because they do not adopt new healthy habits for life. Make changes that you can maintain long-term.
• Seek out support from family members and friends. You will do better than if you try to go it alone.
• Visualize daily what you want your life to look like. Remember that your thoughts create your life so be mindful of what you're choosing.
• Lower your intake of highly processed foods and eat high quality locally grown and raised whole foods as much as possible.
• Eat three meals every day. Skipping meals is the best way to cause cravings and imbalance in your life, your health and your weight.
• Include moderate exercise at least three times each week. Walk more and take the stairs daily.
• Practice breathing and relaxation techniques. Breathe deeply into your belly daily.
• Add lots of vegetables to your diet. The more vegetables you eat - especially dark leafy greens - the easier it will be for your body to achieve its ideal weight.
• Drink water all day long. Start with 1-2 glasses upon rising in the morning. Consider each cleansing bathroom break as an opportunity to breath and enjoy well-deserved private time.
• Consider keeping a food diary. Awareness is essential.
• Avoid an extreme diet of low-fat, high-protein or low-carbs. Balance is best. Choose healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, avocado, walnuts, almonds), lean protein (beans, seeds, fish) and healthful carbs (whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal). Eat in moderation. Make vegetables a large part of your diet.
• Eat slower with no distractions such as TV, work or reading. Avoid stressful conversations while eating. When we eat under stress it affects our metabolism and instead of burning our food we store it as fat. This is the natural fight-or-flight response of the body.
• Set realistic expectations. You won't be the same weight you were as a teenager.
• Don't follow the "Sumo Diet" of consuming large quantities of food late at night when metabolism is at its lowest. Eat a large breakfast or lunch and a small dinner of salad, soup, vegetables or a highly nutritious shake.
• Be conscious of hidden sugars in your foods. Sugar puts on weight and can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Read labels and educate yourself.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners as these can cause cravings for real sugar as well as other health problems. Use natural low-glycemic sweeteners and eat naturally sweet foods.
• Complete eating at least 3 hours before sleeping. The body needs to fast in order to burn stored fat.
• Excess weight equals potential energy, unexpressed or un-owned power. Seek out creative expression.
• Love and accept yourself as you are today... don't wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow never comes.

Having the right education and guidance made a great difference in my personal weight loss success.

If you would like support to reach and maintain your weight loss goals, please be in touch so we can schedule your free 20 minute phone consultation.

Heather Cottrell is a certified Holistic Health Counselor and founding director of Heather Holistic, a private practice offering Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling. Through individual programs, group workshops and teleclasses, Heather Holistic empowers you to be your happiest and healthiest self with proper nourishment of mind, body and soul. Visit http://www.HeatherHolistic.com to schedule a private phone consultation and sign up to receive the free Heather Holistic eNewsletter.