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Nutrient Diet for Adults

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:35:06 +0000

During the adulthood an individual gives so much priority on weight management. Excess weight can cause various chronic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure. That’s why most of the people try their best to maintain an ideal weight. On the other hand, weight shortage is also harmful, because it creates anxiety and cardiovascular diseases. That’s why maintaining an ideal weight is recommended by the experts. One must avoid fat in their diet, because it is highly responsible for obesity. Normally ghee, butter, oil etc. contains a lot of fats. So you have to be careful in this regard. Moreover, spices should be avoided to keep you free from fat.

How I Lost 50 pounds in 4 months - Cardio & Dance Workout

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:47:13 +0000

I am Suzy from Philippines. I will tell you how exactly I was able to lose 50 pounds (about 25 Kg) in four months. That's fast right, let me share my story with you.

I am an overweight at age of thirty-two. I tried so many things just to lose weight but nothing seems to be effective at all.

My struggle for weight had started in 2006. Actually, I was born with my mom who is so sexy and gorgeous and a sister who is stunning. However, me I always have that “pear shaped body” with abdominal fats around my waist. I am always the "different" one when it comes to weight and figure.

Aside from the feeling different, there are added pressure with work and stress with relationships, I was not aware that I had neglecting my body even more. I only became aware of the problem when my second relationship had ended simply because I was overweight.

From then on, I tried everything I can to lose weight. Every diet fad that is there in the market never escaped my attention. There are times that I won’t even eat just drink protein shake for days and though I may have lose weight for some time but it did not last long. Since drastic weight loss can only backfire in the long run. What I had lost in the beginning was all gained back after weeks of normal eating.

Then, after joining here in weightism, I decided that it is time that I need to be focus in weight loss. Every morning I read lots of articles here repetitively just to encourage me to start and be motivated.

To make the story short, I had started four months ago. I had decided to buy a dance video workout in one of Odyssey branches. I was so picky on what to buy but certainly I made the good choice.

Here is the cover of the video dance workout that I used for some time now:

Image Source Flickr Photo belongs to Suzysmile810

Aside from the dance workout, I also regularly used elliptical trainer. I am not paid to promote the video workout nor the elliptical trainer but I just want to share it with everyone. I performed the dance workout for three times a week. Then use elliptical trainer that I have in my house also three times a week.

My schedule for the dance workout is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays then I used the elliptical trainer during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Well, Sunday is my rest day at work and I take this time to just relax my body.

For four months, this is my routine. I am now fifty pounds lighter and I can now wear clothes that I am now more comfortable. It was not an easy journey especially during the Christmas holidays but I am happy that I made it.

In terms of the diet, I followed a high protein and low-fat diet. I eat more servings of fruits and veggies then reduced my intake of sweets especially chocolates. Instead of eating snack before retiring at night, I decided to take one cup of non-fat milk. I also observed that with milk, I no longer have sweet cravings at night and likewise, my sleep had greatly improved, much to my relief.

Journey
My weight loss journey was not an easy one. I really faced some setbacks, in fact, somewhere along the way, I was also tempted and lose track but I had forgiven myself and tried again.

In addition, when there are times that I would really like to quit, I will then go back and read all the articles here in weightism. That keeps me inspired to continue what I had started.

I know that I still have a long way to go but with the support of my friends, family and everyone here. I know my goal is more reachable.

For everyone here, let's not lose hope. We can reach our ideal weight sooner.

Possible Reasons for Not Achieving Weight Loss

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:46:30 +0000

Possible Reasons for Not Achieving Weight Loss
Weight loss is really a tricky process. It is not just food, food, and food alone. There are several factors, which affect our attempt for weight loss.

To be successful, you have to see the whole picture in order for you to meet weight loss.

Possible Reasons
There are possible reasons, which may affect your attempt for weight loss. However, we should not use these reasons as escape goats but still it will do you good if you will check these out.

1. Bad relationships
Bad relationships can lead to stress. Stress may then cause havoc to your emotional and physical body. It may also affect your eating habits.
The more you are stressed, the more you will end up looking for comfort foods and before you know it, you are at your biggest size.

Image Source Flickr Photo belongs to PoYang

Bad relationships are not just centered on romantic relationships. When we say bad relationships, it may include overbearing parents and mother in laws, abusive boss and over dependent friends. All these persons can add stress to your life and to your eating habits.

I once knew a co-worker that happens to taste all the flavors of ice cream every time the boss nags him. Later, the boss was transferred and the person I knew where able to lose some pounds afterwards.

Cutting bad relationships is hard but if you cannot manage the toxic people out of your life, your health and weight may be affected.

2. Toxins
You may be exposed to several toxins. Toxins like pollution, cigarette smoke, cosmetics, mercury, preservatives and too much prescription drugs. All these toxins are stored in fat cells and wreaking havoc in your system.

With the presence of toxins in the fat cells, your body does not burn these fat cells anymore, thus, releasing these toxins in the general circulation.

To release these toxins, you have to detoxify at least once or twice a year. Detox plan can improve the circulation and metabolism of your body. It may also aid in relaxing your mind and release your stress.

3. Not Enough
You may not be exercising enough or yet you do your exercise occasionally. These reasons may jeopardize your weight loss goals.
If the effort that you are giving to your exercise is not even reaching fifty percent, then, that is not enough. If you want to reach for your goals, you have to sweat it out and give your best shot to make sure that you are not wasting your time.

Likewise, regular is the word for weight loss. You have to do your workout on a regular basis. Do not make excuses that may ruin your weight loss regimen.

Do You Have Night Eating Syndrome?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:42:12 +0000

Night eating syndrome is a disorder that causes people to eat an excessive amount of food just before their bedtime or sometimes they get up in the middle of the night to eat. Not all people are familiar with the syndrome however, more doctors are now convinced that it has the characteristic to become an eating disorder since it can lead to obesity if not treated early.

Image Source Flickr Photo belongs to Gilderic Photography

What is Night Eating Syndrome?
Night eating syndrome (NES) is a complex situation that involves eating, sleeping and depression. A person may be suffering from NES if he or she regularly skips breakfast, eating half of daily calories after dinner time and waking up late at night to eat then return again to sleeping.

Studies show that NES is associated with depression, poor self-esteem, anxiety problems and some may be suffering from hormonal imbalances.

Managing Night Eating Syndrome
If you are suffering from night eating syndrome, you are at high risk of being obese. Therefore, it is important that you manage it early.

Here are some ways for you to manage your night eating syndrome:

1. Eat breakfast
You need to eat your breakfast and consume all your daily caloric needs three hours before bedtime. The problem with NES, patients tend not to eat during the day because they still feel full after the night of bingeing. They may feel guilty during the day that is why they stay away from food but then, the cycle repeats again as they would like to eat more during the night.

To break the cycle, you have to eat adequately during the day. This will avoid any bingeing episodes for the night.

2. Increase melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that makes you feel sleepy. Studies show that people with night eating syndrome have less melatonin levels making them awake at night. To solve this, you have to increase your melatonin level by having sun exposure. You can get enough melatonin by having sun exposure to morning sunlight. Sun exposure for at least twenty minutes can increase your melatonin levels.

3. Manage stress
Patients suffering with night eating syndrome are often suffering from too much stress. The higher levels of stress may lead to the syndrome.
If stress is the culprit of your night eating syndrome, then it is time that you go to a therapist to help you manage with your stress levels.

4. Anti-depressants
Consult with your health care provider if you need anti-depression medications. Severe cases of night eating syndrome are prescribed with anti-depressants.

Recommendation
Night eating syndrome is a serious threat that may lead to morbid obesity. Consult with your health care provider if you suspect that you are suffering from night eating syndrome.

How I Was Able to Lose Weight Successfully

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:12:08 +0000

I am overweight and I have been trying ever since to lose weight and that is the reason I have been joining weight loss forums here and there. Tried to post relevant information and get some tips from other members as well.

I was at my biggest last year and some certain medical conditions had started to come up because of my over weight and that seems to be the turning point of my life. I decided that this is the perfect time that I have to really focus and have the discipline that I need in order to lose weight.
In addition, the good news is as of yesterday, my weight had gone down 16 pounds. I know that is not much as there I still need to reduce more but every pound counts and I am so elated with the results.

I want to share with you how I was able to do this in four months.

1. Think Less
Due to the nature of my work, I have to think and plan things so I guess I did not know that it also affects my weight loss attempt. I always think big weight loss goals that I end up doing nothing. However, the last four months, I decided to think less and aim each goal one a time.
This helps me to concentrate even more and the weight loss is now an enjoyable process that no longer overwhelms me.

2. Be persistent and be positive
I have found several downs during my weight loss. It came to a point that I feel that I am getting nowhere and that not everything I do will be effective but I am now glad that I was persistent enough to continue.
Sometimes I feel down due to temptations, feeling hopeless and family members who do not seem to understand but I try to fight it off with being positive. Being positive, I guess is not the absence of negative influence but rather how you fight it off and transform it to your advantage.

Therefore, every day, I stand in a body mirror and I always say that “I am pretty, healthy and can achieve the weight loss that I want." Though I know that I am still a work in progress but I am still happy that all my hard work to lose weight is now paying off.

3. Plan your Grocery trip
Sometimes the best temptation is when I do my grocery especially when I am alone. I am always tempted to pick everything that I see especially when I am in the chocolate section. However, the best thing that I do now is that I moved away my cart in that direction. That may not be easy but at least it helps me to avoid temptations.

Therefore, I always try to finish my grocery in 15 to 30 minutes. Getting only the things that I need and not walking on aisle where the temptations are around.

4. Weight loss forum
Weightism is one forum that had helped me a lot. In fact, there are days that I do not want to exercise but when this happens, I tried to read the tips that are posted here. The tips written by other members had kept me inspired and motivated to continue my weight loss goals.

I am really glad that I joined here.

Body Wraps for Weight Loss?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:39:02 +0000

Many people will try everything just to lose some weight especially if it is the easiest way to lose weight. One popular method that had gotten the attention of many is the body wraps. Body wraps are offered in spas and many are interested to try this weight loss method.

Claims
Body wraps claims that it can help you lose weight while some claim that it can sculpt your body to lose ten to thirty inches.

It also promotes that it can tone your skin and helps tighten areas, which may give you slimmer appearance.

Aside from spas, body wraps are also available for home body wrapping kits. Better yet, you may create your own body wraps using the ingredients that are normally found in your kitchen.

How Body Wraps are Use?
Body wraps are can be used in several ways. Those offered in spas may use natural ingredients like seaweed, rosemary and may require heat. Some spas also use other, pre-wrap solutions that are applied to your body to make sure that you can absorb all the herbs and natural ingredients.

All body wraps are wrapped in a thermal plastic then in a clean cloth for at least forty-five minutes to one hour.

Types of Body Wraps
There are several types of body wraps however, the main types are mineral, herbal and clay wraps. The mineral wraps are often used to break down fats and aid in boosting weight loss. Normally, it is also used in detox as it can also get rid of toxins. However, not all can use mineral wraps since some minerals are absorbed in the skin and may affect some medications.

Next type is herbal, herbal wraps are used to tone down the skin to get much slimmer look. In addition, it is also used to put some moisturizer to skin.

Image Source Flickr Photo belongs to mahesmedindia

Clay wraps aim to remove toxins from your system and can boost weight loss. Among the three, clay wraps is the favorite among spa goers.

Myths
Many spas promise that you may lose ten or more inches after using a single wrap. However, weight loss experts believe that you have to undergo several processes of body wraps before you can meet the weight loss of ten inches.

Likewise, many health experts believe that you may not really lose pounds after the body wraps. Consequently, you may lose some inches especially in the arm and abdomen area, however, what you are losing are just water weight.

You may lose some inches because your skin will be toned that is why it may seem slimmer however, you may not really be the solution for long-term weight loss. Likewise, body wraps are great for reducing the appearance of cellulite but it may not really be the answer in reducing the numbers of in your weighing scale.

Recommendations
Before you undergo body wraps, you have to make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients that will be used. If you are not sure, ask first the therapist all the ingredients that are included in the body wraps.

Remember, body wraps may also have some scent, so, ask first your therapists about the possible scent of the wraps to be used. If you are allergic to some scent, consider having a different type of body wraps.
In the end, ask first your health care provider if it is safe for you to undergo body wraps. As mentioned earlier, some minerals can be absorbed by the skin which can get in the way of your medications.

Starting 7 Day Detox Diet Plan

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 05:06:30 +0000

Detox is not another rapid weight loss. Instead, the process aims to cleanse out all the toxins out of your body. Incidentally, doing detox for seven days may reduce your weight however, it is the main goal of detox. The main and primary goal of detox is to boost your health by purging out the toxins.

However, many attest that one of the effects of detox is losing weight because a body performing its function is said to be more effective in weight loss as your body can be able to metabolize well after the detox.

1. Warm lemon juice
This is the simplest way to start your detox. Add a half lemon in a hot water and drink it in the morning before breakfast.

Image Source Flickr Photo Belongs to Algarve Yoga

2. Exercise
Exercise is an important part of detox. What makes the exercise during detox different is the intensity that you have to go through. If before the detox you are already exercising, then it is good. However, during detox, you have to exercise harder.

Vigorous exercise is needed to increase the lymph flow and to improve the circulation. You also need to sweat out the toxins. The best thing to do this is to exert real effort in your exercise. You may also try other exercises like jogging along the beach or walking uphill. These kind of exercises is good not just for the body but for the mind as well.

3. Detox the mind
Detox is not just for the body but it is also for the mind. You have to aim for 15 minutes of meditation each day. Aside from meditation, doing some yoga practices may also detox your mind.

4. Body brushing
Using a loofah during your bath may also boost your circulation and increase the detoxifying process in your skin. Try to brush your skin with circular moves before you step in the shower. Finish your shower with one-minute burst of cold water. You will feel revitalize afterwards.

5. Drink lots of water
Aim to drink more than 12 glasses of water every day. This will support the lymph and kidney detoxification.

6. Chew
Chew your food at least ten to twelve times before swallowing. Being mindful while you are eating may improve digestion and avoid binge eating and cravings later on.

7. Raw foods
Part of detox is eating raw foods as it has more nutrients and enzymes. You may eat fresh veggies for your salad and add olive oil. Do not use dressings and mayo.

Safety Reminders
Detox plan is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Likewise, anyone that has any existing medical condition like high blood pressure and diabetes should not undergo detox. Elderly and underweight people should not also undergo detox.

Consult first with your healthcare provider before you start any detox diet to avoid serious problems later on.

Great Foods to Eat After a Workout

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:14:41 +0000

Eating foods after a workout is very important the same way that you do your workout. It is recommended that you eat within thirty minutes to one hour after training to replenish the energy and repair any muscle tissues.

Normally, your muscles are depleted of nutrients after your workout. You may have low carbs, electrolytes and potassium but the key here is to follow your workouts that combine protein with carbs and potassium to replenish your energy.

To replenish, here are some of the foods that you may eat after workout. Some of the post workout foods are:

Image source Flickr photo belongs to food snots

1. Protein shakes
Liquid meals like protein shakes are probably the best meal after working out because it is easily absorbed by the body. It would be more nutritious if you create your own protein shakes. One sample of protein shake is mixing whey powder with frozen berries and water. The whey may give protein while the berries may replenish the carbs.

The great thing about protein shake is that you can easily consume it right after the workout. You can prepare it at home and bring it with you to your gym.

2. Banana
Banana is a popular fruit but it is also one of the best workout foods. One large banana has 2 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and more than thirty grams of carbs. It also has half fat and more than six hundred milligrams of potassium. This is enough to replenish your energy and potassium level. It may be sweet but you do not have to worry about sugar since it has natural sweetened taste.

For best results, you may add yoghurt while you are eating a banana.

3. Tuna
Eating tuna is another way to replenish your energy after having a blast workout. For best results, you may choose the tuna with water. It provides the best protein approximately at around 200 calories. It also has niacin, vitamin B6 and B12.

If tuna is still not enough for you, you may add a whole wheat bread to add with your tuna. However, do not add mayonnaise to your tuna and whole bread since it may contain too much calories. You may add olive oil over a whole wheat bread for more nutrition.

4. Turkey and Cheese with Some Apple
If eating a sandwich is not your thing, then you may eat fillings instead. Spreading small slices of cheese over three slices of lean deli turkey can do the trick. It has high protein, which is ideal and can be packed anywhere. For more energy, you may add apple slices to make it more filling.

5. Dried fruits and nuts
You may pack with some dried fruits and nuts to your bag. You can munch on them after your workout. Nuts are a great source of protein and good fats while dried fruits may provide you with some simple carbs.

6. Chicken stir-fry
Now, the question is what will you eat on your lunch if you finished your workout on lunchtime? Then the best lunch would be is to eat some chicken stir-fry and half cup of brown rice. Make sure that the chicken is skin less to avoid fat.

The chicken is rich in protein while the brown rice is rich in carbohydrates, which you may need right after the workout.

Can Acupuncture Help in Weight Loss?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:25:48 +0000

Acupuncture is a popular branch of traditional Chinese medicine. Generally, it aims to remove the blockages in the flow of qi or life force.
Practitioners of acupuncture are known as acupuncturists. They stick very thin metal needles into strategic points found on different areas of the body. Qi is believed to circulate all through the areas of the body. It said to balances the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health of a person.

Image source flickr photo belongs to skinfitness

There are several reasons why people undergo acupuncture. Traditionally weight loss is not one of the reasons why people choose acupuncture. However, several aspects of acupuncture are relatively useful in weight loss.

How acupuncture can help in losing weight?
The most important thing in weight loss is lifestyle change. You cannot simply lose weight without discipline and exercise. However, aside from lifestyle change and exercise, acupuncture may also help you in managing other areas of your body that may promote weight loss later on.

Some of the benefits of acupuncture in weight loss may include:

- Boost body’s metabolism
- Decreases food cravings
- Improve over all circulation of the body
- Increase energy levels thus providing more motivation for you to exercise.
- May reduce cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides.
- Can also promote good sleep, which is important in weight loss.

Claims
There are several claims that acupuncture can really boost weight loss however, there are certain studies that may contradict the results.
You have to ask your healthcare provider before undergoing acupuncture for weight loss.

Points
There are several entry points for acupuncture. However, the specific points for weight loss are:

- Stomach is the point for obese people
- Mouth is the point for impulsive eater
- Lungs is the point that are said to be addicted to food
- Endocrine is the point that experiences water retention
- Thyroid is the point that is responsible for slow metabolism
- Kidney is the point for nervous system as well as water retention
- Spleen is the point for sugar and hormonal imbalances
- Senmen is the point that psychological causes like anxiety and frustration, which may affect eating.

Treatment plan
To know the right acupuncture treatment for you, you have to first visit a credible and accredited acupuncture treatment facility.

Discuss with the acupuncturist your problems with overeating and any digestive difficulties that you may have. The acupuncturist will then check your pulse to determine the general state of your energy and to measure the health of your stomach energy.

Then other parts of the body will also be checked. Tongue will be check for some cracks, and stomach for some puffiness.

Nutrition
Your acupuncturist will guide you on how to get the proper nutrition without causing any weight gain. The acupuncturist will give you nutritional counseling that may help you achieve weight loss in the end.

Safety Information
It is important that you ask first your healthcare provider if you can undergo acupuncture. This is important to avoid serious problems later on.

Can Low Calorie Water Help You Lose Weight?

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:45:46 +0000

We have diet soft drinks and if you think that it is the best solution for your weight loss, then, you may be surprised to know that there is the new “diet water”. Basically, the natural water that we drink everyday is really calorie-free however, the new trend now is the low calorie water that aims to promote lose weight.

What is Low Calorie Water?
The low calorie water has chromium and L-carnitine that plays a special role in weight loss. Chromium has in low calorie water is known to help in regulating the sugar level which in turn stop the cravings.

Meanwhile, L- carnitine is a vitamin like that is normally found in dairy products. It is made out of protein building blocks popularly known to transform fat into energy.

To add more taste in the low calorie water, pomegranate is added. The added ingredient is also rich in antioxidant properties that can fight against free radical damage.

Claims
Low calorie water claims that it can help people lose weight by reducing hunger and reducing cravings, which may lead to weight loss later on.

How it Works?
If you are really trying to lose weight, you have to cut some calories out of your system. You have to cut calories contain in foods as well as in drinks. Drinks like coffee, soda and fruit juices all contain calories and sugar, which can really be fattening.

If cutting back on drinks is quite hard, a good alternative is low calorie water, which also contains some flavor. Between a soda and fruit juices, low calorie water is seen to be a better option.

When Will You Drink Low Calorie Water?
Accordingly, a 500ml bottle of low calorie water is required two to four times a day daily. It is best consumed thirty minutes prior your major meal. You may also increase your intake of low calorie water every time you are thirsty.

Image source flicker: Photo belongs to glukorizon

Low Calorie Water vs. Natural Water
You are making a better choice if you choose low calorie water over your typical soda, however, between low calorie water and natural water, the latter is still the best option.

For one, drinking natural water is more beneficial to your weight loss since it do not contain any fats and sugar free. Likewise, it also does not contain any caffeine and calories.

Though low calorie water, only contain less calories, compared to other beverages, the natural water still beats the low calorie water.

Cost
The amount of low calorie water is somewhat expensive compared to your ordinary water. The amount of each bottle can be quite pricey. With several bottles to drink per day, you may actually save the money and use it for a gym membership instead.

Warning
Drinking 8 to 12 glasses water is needed by the body to do bodily functions. In fact drinking 1-2 glasses of water before your major meal may make you consume less food since you feel already full even before you take your first bite.

Between the natural and low calorie water, natural water is still a healthier option. The low calorie water may still contain calories and sweeteners that may not be good for you especially if you have glucose problems

Does Weight Loss Patches Works?

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 02:31:55 +0000

People are always looking for ways to help them lose extra pounds. It seems that everyone will try every sort of weight loss products that claims easy and quick weight loss. One of these products is weight loss patches.

But what are weight loss patches? Does it work? How will you know if the patch really works? Or is it another weight loss product, which may not really deliver its promise?

What are Weight Loss Patches?
Weight loss patches are very small patches that you can place to your skin, which can be worn under the clothes. To make it work, you have to apply one patch of weight loss patch into your skin daily. The typical price of a patch ranges from fifteen dollars up to forty dollars for one-month supply.

How Weight Loss Patches Work?
The patch releases several nutrients into your system. The nutrients are required to control your appetite, which may aid in losing weight.

In addition, weight loss patch boosts metabolism and increases the ability to burn more fats.

Image Source Flickr: Photo belongs to Jodiepedia

Claims
There are several weight loss patches in the market today. Some of these are:

Hoodia Diet Patch
Hoodia diet patch claims that it is effective in suppressing hunger and thirst. It has appetite suppressant properties that allow users to control their food intake.

The patch also has hoodia and green tea extracts which transform the food into fuel converter niacin.

Slim Weight Patch
Slim Weigh Patch has bladderwrack seaweed and Gracinia cambogia, which boosts metabolism, which may result to weight loss. Though, more studies are needed to know if the claims are really effective.

Fucus Slimming Patch
Accordingly, these patches use seaweed that claims to control appetite and boost metabolism. It also claims to break down fats easily.

The seaweed patch has fucoxanthin ingredient that is found effective in decreasing abdominal fat in animals. The seaweed converts fats to energy.

All these patches still need clinical studies to know if the weight loss claims are factual and safe. Likewise, it is recommended that you ask first your health care provider if weight loss patches are safe for you.

Warnings
FDA warns people who wear weight loss patches as some of the patches contain aluminum and metallic backing, which may not be visible. Some patches do not specify in the label that it have the metallic backings.
Anyone who wears these weight loss patches should tell their health care provider and facilities that perform the MRI scan to cut the possibility of burns during the scanning procedure.

Solution
Weight loss patches promote lazy way of losing weight. In our times that we like everything to be instant, we tend to look for anything that promises us to lose weight easily. However, we should be wary of some weight loss products that are not yet proven.

The best way to lose weight is to have balanced diet and to have active lifestyle. Emotional eating caused by stress and anxiety should be address properly to avoid over eating. It is noted that wearing a weight loss patch without any changes in your diet may not really give the desired results.

With or without patch, healthy lifestyle habits should be observed to make sure that weight loss goals are achieved.

8 Herbs that Promotes Weight Loss

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:52:00 +0000

Losing weight is not really easy especially today, where there are great foods that can really be tempting to eat. We may even realize that some weight loss programs do not seem to work all at once. When this happens, the next solution is the use of herbs to have weight loss.

Some of popular herbs that promote weight loss may include:

Image Source Flickr: Photo belongs to artbyhumans

Red pepper
Red pepper is ideal in weight loss because it has capsaicin. Capsaicin can increase ability of your body to burn more fats. The more you burn more fats, it will be easier for you to lose weight.

Likewise, red pepper is good source of fiber. Consuming 3 grams of red pepper may give you enough fiber that needed by our body to have healthy digestion. It also adds more bulk and may give you the feeling of fullness.

Green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidant properties, which aim to the help the body to burn more fats faster. Though green tea is not magic, you still need enough discipline for you to have a balance diet and to do regular exercise. Doing some 30 – 45 minutes of exercise along with green tea may help you achieved some positive results.

Siberian ginseng
Siberian ginseng is another herb that is great for weight loss. It has the ability to normalize the level of blood sugar in your body. Likewise, it decreases the cravings to eat high sugary snacks and sweets.

Consuming Siberian ginseng will also add more energy and increase stamina of your body as you perform more exercises. In fact, with ginseng around, you will not have another excuse that you are tired to exercise.

Flaxseed
The seed of flax plant has mucilage coating. The coating swells when it is soaked in water. Soaking the flaxseed and eating it afterwards will give you the satiated feeling. It acts as bulking agents thus giving you the feeling of fullness.

Feeling full and satiated will prevent you from indulging in foods thus allowing you to lose weight.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon can regulate your glucose level and lower your bad cholesterol level. The ability to normalize the glucose level can aid you in fighting your fats.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains several fats that do not really stick in the body. It has good fats that will allow you to build more muscle mass. You may even feel easily satiated if you consume coconut oil regularly.

Guar Gum
Guar gum from Indian cluster bean is also rich in fibrous content. Consuming guar gum may give you the satiated feeling, which prevents overeating later on. It can also cut your bad cholesterol and control your glucose.

Ginger
Ginger is ideal in decreasing acidity of your stomach. It can also purges and cleanse your digestive system. Cleansing your digestive system is a practical way in losing weight.

In the end, these herbs are ideal in weight loss. However, like any other weight loss tools, consult first with your health care provider before taking any herbs.

Weight Gain After Menopause

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:40:34 +0000

Weight gain after menopause is very common however, it may cause serious implications to a woman’s health. Excessive weight may increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

(Image Source Flickr: Photo belongs to sisppower)

Additional weight gain may also increase the risk of several types of cancer, which include breast cancer and colon cancer. In fact, studies suggest that women who gained 4.4 pounds or 2 kilograms at age 50 years, may be at risk of having breast cancer by 30 percent.

Reasons for Weight Gain after Menopause
There are several reasons why weight gain affects women after menopause. Some of the common reasons may include:

Less Exercise
Women who are in the menopausal or postmenopausal period often have less exercise. Less exercise may mean more weight gain. In addition, the muscle mass naturally decreases as you get older and if you just sit around and do not replace the muscle that you lose, your body will likely to store more fats and less muscle.

Genetic
Genetic also plays an important role in weight gain after your menopause. If one of your parents or other adult relatives has excessive abdominal fat, you also have the tendency to have extra weight around the abdomen.

Emotions
Emotional reaction to certain situations may also lead to weight gain. Situations like divorce, children leaving or death of a spouse may also elicit emotional reaction, which may lead to weight gain.

How to Deal with Weight Gain after Menopause
Weight gain after menopause is the common complaint of women. However, there are several ways, which you can deal with weight gain after menopause.

Be active
Being active can help you lose extra pounds. There are several ways for you to get active. Aerobic exercises and strength training may aid you to gain muscle and to burn more calories effectively.

To be effective, perform thirty minutes of physical activity every day and add strength training for twice a week.

If you want to lose more weight, you can also add more activity even more. However, ask first your health care provider before doing any exercises especially if you have existing medical condition.

Try to eat less
If you want to prevent additional weight gain, you have to eat less. The key to lose weight is to eat 200 fewer calories each day especially if you are 50 years and above. To cut calories, you have to reduce your food intake however do not forget proper nutrition.

Pay attention on what you are eating and drinking. Increase your intake of whole grains, fruits and veggies.

Increase calcium intake
Your calcium needs increases as you get older. Before you may need 1,000 milligrams per day but after you reach 50’s your body needs 1,200 mg. lesser estrogen in your body may mean that there is less calcium absorption.

To increase your calcium intake, you may drink low fat milk and an 8-ounce yogurt every day. You may also add additional calcium supplements daily.

Support Group
Surrounding yourself with support group like friends and family may motivate you to live a healthier life. You may encourage them to join you in several physical activities like morning walk or playing badminton in the park.

Doing physical activities with friends can be more fun and may yield more results.

How to Make your face thin?

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 07:07:40 +0000

I have a chubby face, and want to make it thinner how can I do this? I have a real low self esteem because my face is chubby, I see actors with a very thin face that look great. I also heard people that look better get better jobs! Please help. Tell me how to make my face thinner!

Green Coffee: Can Make You Lose 2 Pounds a Week

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:28:46 +0000

Every one of us wants to lose weight. We may always jump to every weight loss fads that are being launched almost every day. However, we may end up disappointed after wards. However, if there is something that will definitely help you lose weight fast, the key is to drink green coffee bean extract.

This is good news for coffee lovers. Imagine, you can now drink coffee and in the process, you may lose weight, too.

(Image Source Flickr: Photo belongs to Ruth_O'Neal)

What is Green Coffee?
Green coffee beans are coffee beans that were not yet roasted. Normally, the coffees that you drink are coffee beans that are already roasted. The roasted coffee may taste even better than the green coffee beans but roasting eliminates the chlorogenic acid which is responsible for weight loss.

The green coffee bean extract is even better since it can promote weight loss than your ordinary brewed coffee.

In addition, green coffee beans contain less caffeine. Your brewed coffee may contain 100mg of caffeine while the green coffee only has 20 mg of caffeine. So drinking green coffee may not really rattle your nerves since it has lesser caffeine content.

Green Coffee and Weight Loss
According to Dr. Oz, the chlorogenic acid found in green coffee beans can speed up weight loss. Studies show that dieters can lose two pounds a week compared to their counterparts who were only able to lose one pound each week.

Chlorogenic slows down and lower the absorption of glucose in the bloodstream thus slowing down the release of insulin. Insulin is responsible for controlling the level of blood sugar.

Keeping the blood sugar under control will slow down the production of fat. This will prompt the liver to metabolize the fat and to turn the existing fat as fuel of the body.

Green Coffee Bean Extract Ingredient
Dr. Oz says that the best coffee bean extract for weight loss should contain forty-five percent of chlorogenic acid and the normal dose per person is around 400 mg.

However, when you are looking for green coffee extract, the weight loss ingredient is often mentioned as GCA or green coffee antioxidant.

Other Healthy Benefits
Studies also show that coffee green bean extract are also effective in lowering high blood pressure. Because of this. Doctors now recommend green coffee bean extract than regular brewed coffee.

In addition, green coffee bean is rich in antioxidant properties and can also normalize the blood sugar.

Not For Kids
However, green coffee is effective in weight loss. More studies are needed to know the risks of green coffee. For the meantime, green coffee are not recommended for kids, expectant moms and for those who breastfeed their babies.

How to Snack the Healthy Way?

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:49:51 +0000

When you are dieting, you may think that you have to skip snacks and starve yourself. No, in fact, skipping snacks and starvation may hurt your diet efforts. You have to understand that snacking is not really bad. But what can make it harmful are the foods that you may eat while you are snacking.

Benefits of Snacking
There are several reasons why you need to snack:

1. Avoid binges
Snacking on the mid morning and in the mid afternoon can avoid binges during your major meal.

2. Energy
Snacking may refuel you with the energy that you need all throughout the day. This will optimize your body and your mind to perform daily functions.

3. Sugar level
Snacking will help in maintaining your glucose level. Just avoid any sugary snacks.

Do’s and Don’ts of Snacking

Do’s
-Schedule your snacks exactly the same time each day. Let us say you may snack at 10 A.M in the morning and 3 P.M in the afternoon. That will be the only snack time that you may have for the day. Avoid munching foods after your snack time.

- Sit down and focus on what you are eating.

- Choose healthy snacks. It will be better if you prepare snacks and take them with you at work. Cut some celery and carrots with low-fat dressing will not make most of your time and it is nutritious.

Don’ts
- Avoid foods that are available in the vending machine convenient stores and fast foods. Foods from those places are likely to be high caloric foods.

- Do not over eat. You are just snacking to refuel your body and you do not have to eat large meals to do that.

- Do not use snacking as an excuse to eat the foods that you are craving. Snacking should still be healthy. So stay mindful of healthy choices even if you are snacking.

- Avoid drinking soft drinks during your snack time. Soft drinks contain too much sugar, which is not good for the body. To rehydrate yourself, drink lots of water to refresh yourself.

Healthy Alternative
Here are some healthy snacks that you can try at home without feeling any guilt.

1. Smoothie
Smoothie is one way to fill your stomach during snack. You do not have to feel guilty with smoothie because it is made up of fruits, ice, water and milk. It will be better if you prepare your own smoothie and bring it to your office. You may use fruits, veggies or a combination of both. To make it more nutritious, choose non-fat milk.

Smoothie can make you feel full and it is a great source of vitamins and calcium.

2. Steamed potato
Potato can be a great snack. We do not mean French fries here since it can be salty and fatty.The best way to enjoy potato is to steam it or to just microwave it. You do not have to add any toppings on it because the aroma and taste of potato is enough to satiate you.

3. Nuts
Nuts can be a satisfying snack. You will feel full immediately just after a handful of it. The best way to snack nuts is to eat them while it is on their shells because it taste good and cracking the shells may even stop you from consuming too many.
However, avoid eating salted snacks that are available in the supermarkets since oftentimes it is too salty which is not ideally good.

4. Fresh fruits
Fresh fruits are the best way to snack instead of potato chips. It is healthy and contains vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.
Fruits are also handy, an apple or banana are very good to keep your hunger at bay.

How to Recover from Eating Disorder?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:38:50 +0000

Eating disorder may develop when there are distorted body images that are based wholly on unfounded beliefs, emotions, behaviors and certain attitude towards eating.

When we mention eating disorders, there is more than what is perceived by the eyes. It is not just about eating but it is also about accepting oneself and how you deal with food and your over-all health.

Identifying Eating Disorders
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder are characterized differently. But to get the proper treatment you have to properly identify the food eating disorder.

Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes excessive limitation to food intake. Any individual that is suffering from anorexia nervosa maintains unhealthy low weight. Symptoms of anorexia are hair loss, dizziness, sleepless, dry skin and brittle nails.

Anorexia if not treated can lead to abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure and osteoporosis. In worse cases, anorexia may lead to kidney problems, anemia and abdominal problems and even death.

Bulimia
Bulimia is characterized by eating large amounts of foods followed by self-induced vomiting later on. People suffering from bulimia often have problems with their self-image that they tend to eat and feel guilty afterwards that is why they tend to purge out what they had taken.
Symptoms of bulimia are chronic vomiting after consuming large amount of food, excessive exercise and often visiting the restroom.

If not treated, bulimia may lead to damaged teeth and gums as a result of chronic vomiting. Cheeks, glands, and mouth may have unexplained sores.

In worse cases, dehydration, absence of monthly period, severe anxiety, heart failure and death may occur if not treated.

Binge eating disorder
Binge eating may often occur for some people occasionally but what makes it a disorder is when a person binges regularly and if it is done in secrecy.

The symptoms of binge eating disorder is consuming too much food even when not hungry, eating between meals and eating rapidly.

If not treated well, binge eating disorder may lead to anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and obesity. Worse cases may lead to serious medical conditions like high cholesterol, cardiovascular problems and diabetes.

Treatment and Recovery

Anorexia
To recover from Anorexia, the main purpose is to restore first the nutrition and dehydration of the person. This can be done gradually under the supervision of a doctor. Then, the psychological issues that are associated with the anorexia are answered. To deal with the psychological problems, medications like anti depressant are usually given to deal with severe anxiety.

In addition, psychotherapy that uses Maudsley approach is usually used especially if the anorexic is adolescents. In this approach, parents of adolescents play an important role in feeding their child.

Psychotherapy may also help in eliminating the unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. This is also important to avoid future relapse.

Bulimia
To recover from Bulimia, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is tailor-made for bulimia is effective in dealing with binge eating and purging behaviors. The therapist may help in identifying any distorted belief about self-image and inaccurate beliefs about food. Either the counseling can be done in individual or group based setting. The counseling may aid in changing your unhealthy behaviors.

In some cases, antidepressants are given, however, not all antidepressants are acceptable. U.S FDA only approves fluoxetine in treating bulimia.

Binge Eating Disorder
The treatment for binge eating disorder is similar to bulimia. Psychotherapy particularly the CBT is effective in treating binge eating disorder.

Warnings
Antidepressants are popular however, consult first with your health care provider if it is safe to drink antidepressants especially if you are suffering from eating disorders.

Healthy Ways to Cope
There are several ways to cope with your eating disorder. Some of these may include:

- Join support groups. Do not be shy what you are going through. Joining several support groups may help you deal with you own disorder.

- Follow an eating schedule. When you had the disorder, you may not be eating on time. So, to break that habit, make sure that you on time.

- Be with people who care. If you are adolescent, talk with your mom, sister or trusted friends. These will boost your self-image. Remember, there are people who truly care about you, so reach out to them, instead of sorting to unhealthy habits.

How to Identify Emotional Hunger vs. Physical Hunger

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:05:39 +0000

It is Friday night and alone in your room, feeling sad since you have been dumped of your boyfriend. Instead of eating a decent dinner, you reached for your third bag of potato chips and second pint of ice cream. It may not solve your problem but it certainly comforted you.

Is this emotional eating? How to identify the difference between physical hunger and emotional eating? How can you deal with emotional eating?

Definition of Emotional Eating
Emotional eating is defined by eating for reasons other than hunger. When the reason for eating is not physical hunger but emotions, then, that is emotional eating.

Ironically, food does not only satisfy our physical hunger, it can also satisfy and comfort our feeling, so, when you reach for comfort foods like potato chips and ice cream, you are not satiating the hunger but your emotions.

Emotional eating may occur to anyone especially those who are facing personal problems of their own. This may strike any person regardless of age, gender and race.

Remember, emotional eating is not healthy, reaching for foods for comfort will not solve the problem, in fact, and it can even make it worse since you may wake up one day that you already have disease like type 2 diabetes due to excessive consumption of high caloric and sugary treat.

Emotional Hunger vs. Physical Hunger
To deal with emotional eating, you have to know the difference between emotional hunger from physical hunger.

1. Emotional hunger comes all of a sudden
To know if what you are feeling is emotional hunger, you may observe that it comes all of a sudden. Meanwhile, physical hunger builds gradually.

2. Cravings
You will know if you are into emotional eating if you have unusual cravings that you want to be met. This is the opposite of physical hunger, because if you are really hungry, you are open to eat anything that is available.

3. Instant
It is emotional eating if you want to eat instantly the food that you want to crave for. You may not stop until the craving is fulfilled. However, physical hunger can wait.

4. Insatiable
If what you have is physical hunger, you are likely to stop after you feel satiated. With emotional eating, you will likely to eat even though you may already feel full.

With emotional eating, you are insatiable, so you will likely to eat more because you want to satisfy an emotional need and not your stomach.

5. Feelings of guilt
With physical hunger, you will not feel any guilt after you have eaten. However, with emotional eating, you will deal with feelings of guilt right after you binge eat.

Managing Emotional Eating
- Know what triggers your emotional eating. Identifying the emotions that triggers your emotional eating is very important.

- Make a list of things to do when you are tempted to emotional eating. Keep doing things that will keep you away from thinking comfort foods.

- Try different activities like walking around your dog, call a friend, do some laundry and clean your room are just some of the activities that you can do to avoid the temptation to eat.

- When the urge to eat is really tempting, then do not reach for that ice cream. Instead, reach for something that is healthy. Carrot stick or celery with low-fat caloric dressing may do the trick.

- Cleaning your fridge and remove all the chocolates and other tempting foods there. Replace these unhealthy foods with more nutritious and healthier alternatives.

- Exercise and be stress free. Exercising will boost your morale and will help you lose excessive weight.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Tool for Weight Loss

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:37:23 +0000

Omega -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or also known as omega 3 is normally found in deep se fish. Salmon, mackerel and shark are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Aside from fish, omega 3 is also found in oils like canola oil and walnuts.

Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Weight Loss
Omega 3 fatty acids have several benefits. Some of the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids to weight loss may include:

1. Reduce insulin
Omega 3 fatty acid can reduce your insulin levels. This process will not just avoid type 2 diabetes but it will also burn the energy instead of accumulating it as body fat.

2. Works as anti-lipogenic
As an anti-lipogenic, omega 3 fatty acids can block the storage of fat inside the body. It can also boost your ability to metabolize your foods, thus, resulting to burning of fats much faster.

3. Suppress cortisol
Omega 3 is also responsible for suppressing cortisol production. Cortisol is a stress related hormone that allows you to store calories instead of burning it off. Less cortisol will allow you to burn more calories.

4. Improve blood circulation
Good blood circulation is important especially during your exercise. Consuming omega 3 allows blood to reach the muscles while you are exercising, thus boosting your ability to burn more.

Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
If you do not consumed fish regularly, then it is time that you include fish to your diet to have enough omega 3 fatty acids.

Here are the sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Fish
- Salmon
-swordfish
-mackerel
-tuna

Vegetable oils
- Canola
-soybean
-flaxseed

Aside from fish and vegetable oil, leafy green veggies and nuts especially walnuts are also great sources of omega 3 fatty acids. You can enjoy omega 3 fatty acids with the variety of these foods.

Nowadays, omega 3 fatty acids are also available in fish oil supplement. Fish oil supplements are also great source of omega 3 fatty acids. However, some people may not like the after taste of the fish oil supplements.

Some people may find the after taste quite bothersome, if you find the taste discomfort, it is recommended that you consume natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids instead.

Recommended Dose of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are popular since studies show that it is good for the heart. However, aside from the heart, omega 3 fatty acids are also great for weight loss.

If you want to achieve weight loss, it is better if you consumed omega 3 fatty acids accordingly:

- The USFD food Guide Pyramid recommends consuming foods rich in omega at least two to three grams of omega daily.

- Meanwhile, if you are following Ornish diet plan, you are required to take omega fatty acids at least one gram or lesser each day.

- For those who follow Zone diet and Atkins diet, you can take three to four grams of omega on a daily basis.

Other benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Aside from weight loss, other benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are:
- Lower triglycerides
- Slow down atherosclerosis
- Lessen heart attack risk
- Reduce the risk of stroke
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve symptoms associated with arthritis
- Minimize inflammation

Reminders
Omega 3 fatty acids are great for your body especially for weight loss goals. However, like any other supplements in other market, it is important that you ask your health care provider if it is safe for you take omega 3 fatty acids.

Likewise, expectant women and breastfeeding mothers should ask their doctor if it is safe to take omega 3 fatty acids.

Raspberry Ultra Drops for Weight Loss - Does it work?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 05:41:18 +0000

Raspberry ketones had taken everyone’s attention since it was featured in the program of Dr. Oz. However, how does raspberry ketones can aid in weight loss? Is it really effective or just another media hype?

What is Raspberry Ketone?
Raspberry ketone is a compound that is found in raspberries. It is responsible for giving the taste and smell for raspberries. Research shows that raspberry works as a fat metabolizer.

With Raspberry Ultra Drops, the raspberry ketone is further combined with African mango and green tea.

How it Works?
It will normally require ninety pounds of raspberry per day in order to get the best weight loss benefit, however, it is impossible to take raspberry with that amount. That is why the raspberry ketone is now produced synthetically in labs in pill or drop form.

As of the moment, a raspberry ultra drop is considered revolutionary dietary formula that will help the body loose excess fats.

1. Fat burner
Raspberry ketones can be compared how capsaicin works from chili peppers. It can definitely lose fats especially the ones that are found in the liver.

2. Boost your hypothalamus
Raspberry can boost the base rate of your hypothalamus. This will boost your weight loss and may provide your body long lasting fat burning capacity.

3. Increase adiponectin
Taking raspberry ultra drops can increase the adiponectin levels found in your body. Adiponectin is a protein hormone, which is responsible for modulating several metabolic processes like glucose regulation. Low levels of adiponectin may result to type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Likewise, studies show that there is direct correlation between the body fat percentage and your body. High levels of adiponectin may lead to lower body fats.

Other benefits
Raspberry ultra drops have other health benefits. Recent studies show that raspberry ketones can also lower cholesterol, control glucose production and aids against fatty liver disease.

Claims
Raspberry ultra drops claim that you can lose weight even without changing your diet. Accordingly, raspberry ultra drops boost fast absorption even if you are not following a low cal diet.

For those who have having problems with plateau, they can now get past that stage while consuming the raspberry ultra drops. Some people find weeks to break through their plateaus however, with raspberry ultra drops, only several days and you are on right on track again.

Raspberry ultra drops will allow you to lose weight even if you are not in a strict diet. Several people want to lose weight without undergoing restrictive diet and with raspberry that is now possible. You can now lose extra weight by just consuming raspberry ultra drops.

Maybe another good thing with raspberry ultra drops is the cost. It is presumably a lot cheaper than other weight loss supplements out there. The raspberry ultra drops program is affordable and hassle free.

The raspberry ultra drops program offers different program options, which allow a person to choose for her or his own while there, is also a package option for groups who may want to encourage other people to use raspberry ultra drops to achieve weight loss.

No injections and painful therapies are needed. Raspberry ultra drops can make you achieve your ideal weight immediately.

Results
Raspberry ultra drops offers promising results with weight loss, however, it is not a magic pill. Like any other weight loss supplements, it is still recommended that you ask your health care provider before taking raspberry ultra drops.

Likewise, for best results, it will be better if you eat a balanced diet and add regular exercise while you are taking raspberry ultra drops for better and long term weight loss results.

Warning:
Always use Raspberry Ketone drops after consulting with a doctor or a qualified dietitian. There are cheap/fake ones out there which you do not want to buy. Additionally some people claim it has side effects too, so .. like any other new product, be cautious while using it. Also note - based on my knowledge, Dr Oz recently said that he does not personally endorse any specific brand, he probably meant to discuss a general opinion of this product.