Healthy Foods

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Weight Loss - the Real Facts

American society makes it seem like losing weight is so easy. Pop in a pill, eat a few Lean Cuisines and like magic, you'll be the perfect size 2. Well, it doesn't always work that way. In fact, if you diet too much you risk making yourself fatter, since excessive dieting leads to a slower metabolism.

What about some of the other dieting fads that have come out, like Atkins or the South Beach Diet, which emphasize the importance of cutting out bad carbs? Well, actually there is truth to this, and weight loss may be faster if you initiate ketosis.

That's right... ketosis is a good way to start losing weight, especially if you have a lot of body fat. In fact, some people go into ketosis even on 'regular' diets, since they are still eating less. And, as a result, many of them not only look better, but they also feel more energized.

This is not to say that ketosis can't be dangerous, because it can be. The main thing you will have to keep in mind is whether or not you're losing fat or muscle. If you're losing muscle, the ketosis is getting to a point that it's unhealthy. The best way to know this is by using a body fat analyzer. Calculating your BMI through a chart is not accurate.

You should also remember that some carbs are essential for good health... even if you're trying to initiate ketosis. Vegetables are an example of such a carb. They are easier to process than grains and they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. They also have less glucose than fruit, making them a good choice for those that are trying to eat as few 'bad' carbs as possible.

Maintenance is very important. If you start eating high grains and sugars again after you lose the weight it will come back. So if you don't plan a lifestyle change you may not want to start.

Ketosis isn't for everyone. It takes a lot of discipline. So initially a good way to start healthy weight loss is just to cut out the grains in your diet. Wheat, oats, rice etc. These are the carbs that cause most problems.

If your diet was 2 parts above ground vegetables to 1 part protein and some raw fat like flax seed oil that would be a good start. Also, eat within 1 hour of waking up and eat something every 3 hours. These basic rules will have most people feeling better.

Remember no one diet works for everyone but most people will notice improvement by eating protein, vegetables and a little raw fat.

Yet, don't think that weight loss ends with eating a low grain diet. You must also perform exercises. Aerobic exercise helps the body to burn fat while weight lifting raises your metabolism, which will help promote long-term weight loss. So both are good.

Again there are many suggestions on weigh loss and the more you do the better your chances for success.

Dr.Stewart Edrich DC is the owner of Holistic Health Solutions. His clinic concentrates on helping people with difficult conditions using, herbs, nutrition, chiropractic, acupressure, diet, exercise and other cutting edge technologies. You can learn more by visiting: http://www.holistichealthsolutions.com

How to Choose a Successful Weight Loss Program

Many people who have sought to lose weight fail to do so not because their body refused to shed the extra pounds but because they choose the wrong weight loss program. There are a lot of weight loss program out there but getting the right one is important if you must lose weight. So how do you choose a weight loss program that work? Before joining a weight control program try to ask consider the following.

1. Does the program have qualified health care professionals like dietitians, doctors, nurses who will monitor you. Yes it is important to be checked by a doctor before embarking on weight loss program. The doctor should know your current medications, current medical conditions so as to effective control your weight loss efforts.

2. Does the program have varieties of foods and diets from which you can choose from? Some weight loss diets program can be restrictive in diets, and when they are, they should be able to provide you with varieties of options to choose from so that you don't end up feeling deprived and hungry which could be damaging to your overall well-being.

3. Does the program features a long term weight loss goal? This should be very important. Losing weight fast alone is not the issue but keeping the weight off for life is what should be of major concern. They should be able to help you change your behavioral pattern that is contributing to your excess weight and help you focus on physical activities that will help you lose the weight and remain fit .

4. Does the program incorporates exercise and physical activities? Always remember that you are fat not only because you eat too much but because you don't engage in physical activities. Therefore it is imperative to always engage in physical activities in order to lose weight. Even though choosing your diets will help you lose weight but engaging in physical activities will let you lose weight faster and keeping it off thereafter.

You should choose your weight loss program wisely in order to lose weight and stay healthy.

Discover how to take shape for life with a clinically proven weight loss program that has help thousands of folks lose weight and remain healthy.

Easy Ways to Lose Weight - and They're NOT Dieting!

What is easy for some is difficult for others, so Easy Ways To Lose Weight holds different meanings for different people. Let's take a look at what is definitely difficult for everyone. Fad diets. South Beach, Atkins, Weight Watchers, they all come under the heading of Fad Diet. There is virtually no evidence to show that following any of these diets is easy. Why? Because it is a well known statistic that 95% of all dieters fail to lose weight long term. If that wasn't true, you wouldn't be reading an article called "Easy Ways To Lose Weight"!

Why don't fad diets work?

  • They're miserable, demoralizing affairs.
  • They make you guilt-ridden
  • They are too restrictive

There are only three items on this particular list, there could have been many more, but aren't those three enough for you? Take the final point on the list: all of these diets are so restrictive that you're bound to fall off the wagon, and it's usually sooner rather than later. The irony is that whenever you have the audacity to err, the purveyors of these fine products try to make out that it's your fault. It's not your fault, it's the fault of the crazy diet. Now, you may say that if you had stayed on the diet you would have lost weight, so that proves it is your fault.

Not so! That only shows that you are in the permanent grip of the diet mongers. Look, here's a diet for you that has just been made up three minutes ago: drink nothing but water, and eat nothing but bananas , eggs and lettuce for a month. You're absolutely guaranteed to lose lots of weight if you follow it. What's that you say? You'd be crazy to follow that diet? Of course you would, and even if you did try and then failed, where would the fault for failure lie? With the diet itself of course. Today's modern diets are similar, with the twist that they are cunningly disguised to sound as though they are easy to follow. The fact is that they are no more easy ways to lose weight than the mad monstrosity described earlier.

So forget dieting, you don't need it, and it does not work anyway. Be happy, you can now make the decision to rid yourself of diets for good, how easy was that?

But if you are not dieting, how are you going to lose weight? Well the fact that you have stopped dieting is going to help in itself because you will rid yourself of the dreaded yo-yo dieting effect, you know the one - where your dieting falters, and you end up putting on more weight than you lost, so you start off on a new diet, and the whole thing starts over again.

Watch out for the next article which uncovers proven, sensible, medically approved methods of losing weight for good. It's true, there are such things as Easy Ways To Lose Weight, but one of them is not dieting.

Do you want to Lose Weight? Go to our FREE web resource to learn about Easy Ways To Lose Weight, NO dieting, and a great section to give you help and support if you're struggling.

Check out this article: How Many Calories Do You Burn Jumping On A Trampoline? to get more info on this topic.

Five Free Tips to Help People to Lose Weight

Many people find it very difficult to lose weight, this is very understandable, there are many fatty foods that are tempting to eat, even though we would like to exercise we do not seem to have the time or the energy. Other people are able to lose weight but then find it difficult to keep the weight off and end up in an even fatter state only a short time later. In this article I am going to be writing about five tipe in which people can go about losing weight which when adhered to will also enable the person to keep the weight off, I hope you enjoy the read.

I am a person who has now thankfully managed to reach my own target weight. The tips that I am about to give are what I followed. I am very confident in keeping the weight off as unlike with any other form of diet that I have tried this one not only made sense but was actually quite easy to carry off.

1. It is not what you eat but is more when you eat it

For me this is without doubt the most important tip. In my opinion your main evening meal should be eaten no later than six o'clock in the evening and it should also be your smallest meal of the day. If you have eaten a nice big healthy breakfast, a large health lunch then you should only require a light dinner.

2. Cut out the snack foods

Eating in-between meals is one of the biggest weaknesses obese people tend to have. If you are serious about losing weight you need to cut out these snacks, unless they are healthy snacks such as fruit.

3. Own a dog

It may seem a crazy tip but owning a dog and taking that dog for regular walks is a great form of exercise and can seriously help when attempting to lose weight. There are many additional benefits of having a dog as a pet of course.

4. Buy an in-door gym

I often hear people say that they do not have time to go to a gym or that they feel out of place at a gym as it is full of fit people. These people have no excuse as they are now able to buy a gym for their home; this is proving to be ever more popular these days.

5. Stay off the booze

Alcohol is something that we need to either cut out or reduce our intake of when trying to lose weight as it is extremely fattening.

I hope these tips prove to be as beneficial to you as they have to me.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:

Stuttering
Alternative therapies
DVD authoring

Weight Loss Through Detox

Many of us have heard stories of celebrity weight loss through a detox diet. But should you be going on a detox diet to lose weight and will the weight stay off even if you find it to be useful? Here are some of the surprising facts.

There was quite a stir recently when Beyonce announced that she had lost 20 pounds on a detox diet. Many other celebrities have made similar claims. But although these short-term weight loss achievements maybe good, they are not really what a detox diet is all about.

Someone who goes on a detox is wanting to improve their health by eliminating toxins. This can in turn lead to benefits such as improved immune system function, increased energy and regular bowel movements. Losing weight is not generally the biggest motivation for detoxing, it is merely a by-product.

Detox diets do vary considerably but they are generally very low in calories and emphasis the need for drinking plenty of water. Many regimes will involve eating either a vegetarian or vegan menu and this is complimented with juice drinks and water. They last for anywhere between 2 and 21-days.

With this type of diet, it is no wonder that the average American will lose weight. But the biggest concerns for most dieters is "Will the weight stay off?" The short answer is no, if you just return to a former lifestyle of eating processed foods, soda pops and cookies.

However one of the biggest advantages of going on a detox is that you start to think about the quality of food that you eat and the types of meals that you prepare. Many people have said that their detox has made them re-evaluate how they think about food and that they now eat a more healthy diet.

By sticking to a healthier diet in the long-term, it is certainly possible to achieve weight loss. If your detox provides the kick start that you need to do this, then it may be worth considering. But the real health benefit of going on a detox is that you'll be healthier because you have eliminated toxins from the body.

Learn how to get started with a juice detox diet by visiting http://www.bodydetoxplan.com. You'll also discover the advantages of a raw food detox.

What Do You Think The Fastest Way To Lose Weight Is?

The short answer to this question is diet and exercise. The difference between those who lose weight fast and those that do it slow is strategy selection. What does this mean?

There is no one best way to lose weight. There are, however, some strategies that will work best for you. You need to find these strategies. There are literally hundreds of weight-loss strategies. I have an eBook that highlights 50 of them.

Not all of these will work for you. But some of them will and you need to find them. Here are three strategies you can consider right now.

Stay Away From Drugs

Using drugs and pills is not the fastest way to lose weight. It is the most dangerous way. Proper exercise and diet works, period. Remember, being overweight is due to your lifestyle. You can not take a pill for the rest of your life.

Therefore, if you take a pill to lose weight, but do not change the way you eat and exercise, then you will regain the weight the pill may have allowed you to lose after you stop taking it. This is not a sustainable way to lose weight and keep it off.

Furthermore, the side effects of diet pills are very harmful to the body. Moreover, weight loss pills are not cheap and therefore they are simply a waste of money.

Women and Men Are Different

The fastest way to lose weight will differ for Men and women. Also, men are able to lose weight faster than women can. If you are a women, you will really set yourself up for disappointment if you try to lose weight as fast as a male friend close to you is able to.

It just will not happen. Simple set your goal of losing either one or two pounds a week and stick to it. Do not worry about what others around you are able to do. Especially if those around you are able to lose more than two pounds a week. That is unhealthy for your body and should not be done.

Take Vitamins

Multivitamins may assist in improving your health and make you feel less hungry. The theory goes as follows. One of the reasons we eat so much or are hungry all the time is because our body is craving nutrients that it is not getting from the empty-calorie unhealthy food you eat.

Obviously, in your attempt to lose weight you will want to start eating more healthy foods and less junk food. However, should you ever find yourself in a situation where you are stuck eating fast food or some kind of junk food, take a multivitamin along with it to boost its nutrient level.

Finally, the fastest way to lose weight is not the safest. It is not safe to lose more than two pounds a week. Do not attempt to set a goal that requires you to lose more. You will only disappoint yourself and hurt your body. Look over my 50 weight loss strategies to find the ones that work for you. Implement one strategy at a time until you master it, then move on to another one. Good luck!

Learn how others are losing pounds of body fat week after week with my 50 Weight Loss Tips ebook. Just send an email to fatlossmadeeasy@aweber.com.

Learn more about how to lose weight here.

Learn about the importance of food portion control when dieting safely.

See what this article says about the fastest way to lose weight?

Rapid Weight Loss That's Good For You!

Rapid weight loss is something millions of people want to achieve, but few actually know how to do it the correct way. Maybe it's because summer is coming up, we want to look great for a wedding, or some other reason. We want our body to look like it did when we were twenty years old and we think a weight loss pill will do the trick. We want to lose weight quickly and easily!

Other than dangerous pills, the easiest way to achieve rapid weight loss is the old fashioned way. Diet and exercise. I know that sounds harsh, but there are a few programs now that show you how to do it the easy way - really. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Drink lots of water - DUH! You've all heard that one before.

Water helps flush waste from your body, and speeds your metabolism. It also helps decrease your appetite. Also, when you exercise vigorously your body will lose water, so keep plenty on hand and sip while you workout.

Good Nutritious Food

As much as possible, eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to eliminate processed food that contain added salt. Salt increases blood pressure, and also causes bloating - not good for weight loss. Also try to use fresh foods when cooking. They have a better taste than canned foods, and are much healthier for you.

Eat!

I know you didn't expect to see this in an article about rapid weight loss. The funny thing is, when trying to lose weight many people skip meals and starve themselves. This does NOT work, and actually slows your metabolism, halting your weight loss efforts. You really need to eat a healthy breakfast to give your metabolism a boost in the mornings.

Eat more often, in smaller amounts. You will be surprised what a difference this will make! You will never feel hungry, and consequently will not overeat at a meal. This is a very important trick to losing weight. This is just one way you can use the foods you eat to achieve rapid weight loss.

Spice Things UP

Eating spicy foods is known to be good for your heart, as well as circulation and cholesterol. Did you know that eating foods containing capsaicin can help lead to rapid weight loss? Peppers and foods such as salsa are really super-good for you, and also help boost metabolism.

Eating healthy, exercising and using common sense are very important to long term weight loss. However, when you are really in need of a rapid weight loss plan, there are a few effective ways to achieve your goal. These are some super fat-burning, metabolism boosting methods of choosing when and what kind of foods you eat. Take a look at some of these programs, and change your body as well as your life!

Eat healthy - your body will thank you! Find out more about rapid weight loss tricks that will have you dropping 9 lbs. in 11 days! Some great fat-incinerating workouts can be found as well. Check out The Skinny on Weight Loss

The Many Ways That Weight Loss Can Improve Your Life

The most obvious benefit of weight loss is improved physical attraction, and it is this benefit that most weight loss products seem to target. But losing weight is about more than vanity. Losing weight offers many advantages beyond looking good and can be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone regardless of size, gender, or age. In this article, we will explore several benefits of weight loss that you may or may not have been aware of.

Weight Loss Is Good for Your Heart:

Losing weight can combat high blood pressure and when achieved through a healthy diet can also reduce your cholesterol level. Both of these factors contribute to conditions like heart disease and stroke. That's a pretty big benefit, especially when you consider that heart conditions are the number one killer of American men and women.

A loss of as little as 5 to 10% of your current weight can dramatically reduce your chances of contracting heart disease.

Weight Loss Can Help You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:

Diabetes, once it has developed, is a lifelong condition. Having diabetes can significantly affect what you do and how you live. If diabetes is not properly treated, it can lead to serious impairment and even death. Because diabetes is a condition related to blood sugar levels, and because being overweight increases your risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes, something as simple as improving your diet may save you from this disease.

If you already have diabetes, a daily exercise regimen can not only help you to lose weight but assist in the maintenance of your blood sugar levels. It can also increase circulation, effectively combating the damage done by diabetes.

Weight Loss Reduces Your Risk of Getting Cancer:

Studies have shown that obesity significantly increases your risk of contracting several different cancers, including but not limited to: uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer. Both women and men are at risk.

Both fat and cholesterol have been linked with the development of cancer, and thus cutting these substances from your diet wherever possible may greatly reduce your risk factor.

Weight Loss May Cure Sleep Apnea:

In some cases, the strain of extra weight may affect both your heart and brain and cause you to develop a condition known as sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea may stop breathing while they sleep. They may also experience drowsiness and are almost always heavy snorers. While early stages of this condition are characterized by brief breaks in breathing, in some cases sleep apnea may be fatal when sufferers stop breathing altogether.

Losing weight will relieve your heart and body of the extra stress, effectively curing the condition.

Weight Loss Improves Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is characterized by the deterioration of the cartilage in your joints. Because bearing weight on these joints becomes painful, extra weight only increases that pain by putting more stress on weak joints.

Losing weight can help you to more comfortably tolerate this condition.

Mark Neustedt is the founder of CB-Product-Reviews.com and after reviewing more than 20 diet programs reveals exactly which weight loss programs are the top ones.

Discover which 3 weight loss programs were among the best ones.