Thursday, 28 August 2008

LIPOSUCTION - Liposuction and Gastric Bypass Explained

Liposuction And Gastric Bypass Explained

There are many people who are not really obese, or even overweight, but have fat in the regions of the buttocks, the knees, and the thighs which they cannot get rid of even with targeted exercises. There are other areas of the body such as the abdomen or the chin or the cheeks from where getting rid of stubborn fatty tissues is difficult. These localized fatty areas give a very ungainly look to the person. A surgical procedure that was evolved in the 1980’s can solve this problem. It must be realized, however, that these surgical procedures are not alternatives to proper diet and exercises – it is only a solution of the last resort. This is an invasive procedure and like all surgical procedures it also has some risks involved. In liposuction procedure tubes are inserted into the target skin by making tiny incisions and fat is sucked out through the tubes. This procedure generally does not take a long time and is performed as an outpatient procedure. In case the volume of fat to be removed is large, it may require an overnight stay of the patient in the hospital. Liposuction is generally done under local anesthesia. People who are suffering from diabetes or have some other surgical issues are not suitable for liposuction. Those desiring liposuction should not be overweight and they should have firm and elastic skin. Plastic surgeons would generally advise a patient to try weight loss diet and exercises before considering liposuction. Even though Liposuction removes fatty deposits which cannot be removed by exercises, we should bear in mind that it can never be an alternative to healthy eating and exercising. Liposuction is not a procedure for overweight people, it is meant to remove fatty tissues from localized areas. For highly overweight or obese people there is another surgical alternative. It is called bariatric (weight loss) surgery. Among the different techniques of bariatric surgery, the most popular one is Gastric Bypass. Some people call it Obesity Surgery. In this procedure anatomy of the digestive system of the patient is altered; stomach and a part of the small intestine are bypassed and the food directly enters the lower part of the small intestine. By this arrangement the amount of food you eat and digest gets reduced. Gastric bypass operation can result in a substantial loss in weight of the patient especially for those patients who are overweight by more than 100 lbs. Gastric bypass isn't for everyone with obesity, however. As with any surgical procedure there are risks involved in this procedure too. Moreover, this procedure alters the gastric anatomy permanently. It requires a permanent lifestyle change to be made by the patient. It is essential, therefore, for the patient that before committing to the gastric bypass operation he/she should fully understand what is involved and what lifestyle changes he/she will have to make. In the final analysis, the success of the surgery is up to the patient.



Raw Food Diet and Weight Loss

Raw Food Diet and Weight Loss

It is believed that if food is heated to over 116 deg. F enzymes which assist in digestion and absorption of the food are destroyed. Raw food diet is based on the use of uncooked and unprocessed plant food such as fresh vegetables, fruits, seed, sprouts, grains, nuts, dried fruits, etc. To derive the full benefit of raw food diet our diet must comprise at least 75 % of the raw and living components. Raw food is low on saturated fats and components of hydrogenated oils as compared to the conventional diet. It has low sodium content and is richer in magnesium, folate and potassium. It has higher fiber content and it contains phytochemicals which are health promoting plant chemicals. Raw food diet has less fat, less calories. Raw food has many benefits. It improves digestion and improves skin appearance. It gives increased energy and it reduces risk of heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. It can lead to healthy weight loss. What can you eat in Raw Food Diet Use organic and unprocessed items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, fruits. Grains, nuts, legumes, dried fruits, seaweed are permitted. Purified water and young cocoanut milk are also permitted. What cooking techniques can be used Food should not be heated to 116 deg. F; such high temperature heating destroys the enzymes and the beneficial properties of raw food. Sprouting of beans, seeds and grains make them easier on digestion at the same time providing their flavor and variety. Similarly you can soak nuts and dried fruits. Juicing of fruits and vegetables as well as blending with other items will add variety to diet. You can use dehydrated food also. Precautions Raw food diet is basically very healthy but some people who have been previously used to diets rich in meat, caffeine or sugar may have mild but harmless reactions when they start on raw food diet. They may experience nausea, headaches or cravings for a few days. Raw food diet is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women or children. It is not suitable for anemic persons and persons suffering from osteoporosis. Raw food diet may be found to be deficient in proteins, calories, vitamins B12. It may be deficient in certain minerals such as calcium and iron. You may consult your physician for suitable supplements. Criticism of Raw Food Diet Apart fro nutritional deficiencies of raw food diet, critics are against the basic premise about the foot being unsuitable if heated to over 116 deg F because of destruction of enzymes. Critics argue our bodies do use their own enzymes and are not dependent on enzymes from the raw food. It is also argued that raw food diet may not be suitable for people in colder climate.





Size Zero Pill Is Just For Horses

Size Zero Pill Is Just For Horses

Sure! Size Zero Pill is just for horses and that too for sick horses. Its chemical name is Clenbuterol. This drug was developed as an asthma treatment for horses; it helped open horses' breathing passages. The drug was FDA-approved and legal for use in horses. It is an irony, however, that it has found irresponsible users among humans. How Does It Work But it is not illegal to purchase and possess it for private use and it is quite easily available over the internet. Bodybuilders discovered that it could burn fat while allowing increase of muscles. It increases heart rate and the body temperature for long after it is consumed; thus even when the user is resting it helps burn fat. Its continued use, however, can have serious side effects and its use in professional sport is banned in Europe and the U.S. Its misuse seems to have become more common among women because some of the fashion-icon girls from Hollywood have started using this extremely dangerous drug, to slim down ridiculously quickly. These girls have started looking seriously underweight, underfed; their arms are thin like chicken-wings, their hip and chest bones are protruding and their breasts are sagging. They are only a caricature of their former self. The present society, especially the Hollywood-centric part, is obsessed with the lean look. And the fashion-icons who are over conscious of their looks find these drugs as miracle pills. In this mindless pursuit of fashion these women are hurtling themselves to absolute current fashion - Dress Size 0. It is this craze for losing weight, in spite of the gaunt look that has given this drug the nickname Size Zero Pill. Dangers of Using Size Zero Pill Some of the risks of continued use of Size Zero Pill are elevated blood pressure, and heart rate, severe palpitation and stroke. Its use may lead to insomnia, severe headaches and anxiety. Long-term use of this drug may cause the muscle wall to stiffen leading to cardiac problems. It is commonly found that people with eating disorder do have cardiac problems. Abusing the body by use of drugs such as Clenbuterol for weight loss severely increases the risk of heart problems. There are safer and saner aids to losing weight; there are slimming pills, the fat burning pills and duets, the fat-blocking pills such as Proactol and many others. It is high time these fashion conscious women woke up to these extremely serious dangers and leave the Size Zero Pill for horses and just for horses.






The Size Zero Pill – Friend or Foe?

The Size Zero Pill – Friend or Foe?

Size Zero Pill – what a mysterious name for a drug! Well, it’s not really an official name the pill goes under, but it has got this nickname! This drug is being used for losing weight rapidly. The name “Size Zero Pill” obviously has a reference to the dress size, Size Zero – the limit in the smallest size dress. Diet pills such as the Size 0 Diet pill are often advertised as miracle weight loss products. This is a drug that is being used by celebrities as a means of losing weight fast. Apparently it is being used by many Hollywood celebrities to achieve that gaunt look that is considered to be the “in thing”. Recently somebody commented that the one thing that is common among five of the top celebrity “poster” girls in Hollywood is that they “look seriously underweight, have chicken wing arms, have protruding hip and chest bones and deflated, sagging breasts”. Use of drugs such as the Size Zero pill among the Hollywood celebrity set has been going on for some time but it is only now that it is being talked of openly. Chemically the Size Zero Pill is known as Clenbuterol. This drug was not intended for human consumption; it was produced and used as a drug for horses suffering from Asthma. How Does It Work This drug raises the body temperature and increases the rate at which the blood is pumped around the body. This helps burn fat and it has the effect of suppressing appetite for up to nine hours. Another drug in the same category is Adderall; it is a drug generally prescribed for students to help them get through their examinations by helping to focus their minds. But it is also being increasingly used for losing weight; its side effect is that it causes eating disorders. Its Dangers Use of drugs such as Clenbuterol or Adderall can have many serious side effects such as Heart Attack, Stroke, Extreme Anxiety, Panic Attacks, etc. When it comes to losing weight, there are several other products available on the market and taken with necessary precautions they are quite safe and effective. There are slimming pills, there are fat burning diets and pills, there are fat blocking products such as proactol, and many more. You choose your friends and you make your foes. For those who seriously –and nor frivolously – desire to lose weight, they know that you cannot sacrifice your health at the altar of losing weight. They can choose their friendly methods to achieve their objective. Those who have frivolous ideas about weight loss are more likely to choose their foes such as size zero pills!







Can Weight Loss Surgery Help Me With My Weight Issues?

Can Weight Loss Surgery Help Me With My Weight Issues?

Weight loss surgery is a usually perceived as a surgical procedure that decreases the size of your fat around the body, thus this enables you to lose a significant amount of weight. It is a permanent procedure, which requires a lifetime’s commitment to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss surgery not only helps you to lose weight, but also helps you to improve your overall health, well-being and self-esteem. Weight loss surgery, in certain instances, limits the amount of food you consume. Many people, who have undergone the surgery, lose weight quickly. If you follow a proper diet and exercise, you can keep most of the weight off. After weight loss surgery, usually a person can resume a normal life with zest and challenges. You tend to notice significant change in the amount of food you will be able to eat. Weight loss surgeries reduce stomach capacity to a few ounces. Initially, you may have less energy for daily activities. Types of Obesity Surgery: Liposuction is a renowned type of weight loss surgery. It is a type of cosmetic surgery to remove fat from several different parts of the human body. Liposuction is carried on many parts as such neck, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, and elsewhere. In liposuction, a cannula (a vacant tube) and aspirator (a suction device) eliminates the fat. It is not a low-effort alternative for dieting and exercise. The amount of fat removed from the body varies by the method, patient, and doctor, but is usually less than 10 pounds (5 kg). Another kind of surgery that is well renowned is gastric bypass surgery is the most widely practiced type of weight loss surgery. During the gastric bypass surgery, the weight loss surgeon staples the smaller and upper part of the stomach separating it from the rest of the stomach. The net result is minimized food consuming capacity. The recovery time varies from person to person, but many people return to normal activities within few weeks of the surgery. Although, the results of weight loss surgery can be drastic, there are some potential risks and complications:
1. The primary threat is allergic reaction, such as rash to sudden overwhelming reactions that may even cause death.

2. Bleeding

3. Blood Clots
4. Infection
5. Indigestion
6. Bowel obstruction
7. Loss of Bodily Function Some weight loss programs offer better dietary and motivational support from others and may be considered as weight reduction options before opting for surgical option.




Is Alli The Right Product For Me? Alli Weight Loss

Is Alli The Right Product For Me?

Alli is a beneficial drug to assist in your weight loss efforts. However, in this product’s case, you really do not need to have a prescription for buying weight loss pills. Doctors prescribe Alli for overweight adults, who struggle to get rid of their additional pounds. With its convenient access and weight loss promises, you can really shed your weight considerably. Alli is a low strength version of Xenical (orlistat), a prescription pill to help treat over weight patients. It is an approved pill available over-the-counter to any overweight persons aging 18 years or above 18. Doctors strongly suggest using Alli along with a low fat, low calorie diet and regular workout plan. Alli helps you by cutting down the absorption of fatty substances in your intestines, which reduces the amount of calories you take up. Doctors usually suggest that the patient consumes light meals thrice each day. Avoid eating heavy meals with high fat content, since it only causes redundant effects such as diarrhea, urgent bowel movements, and gas troubles. What are Alli’s Side Effects? While consuming Alli, you may possibly experience bowel changes. Marketing and ad materials refer these changes as treatment effects. These side effects include: • Gas with a greasy anal discharge • Diarrhea or loose stools • Frequent bowel movements • Difficult to control bowel movements These changes in bowel result from the indigestible fat running throughout your digestive system. However, you can restrict the fallouts by taking a low calorie and low fat meal. Alli certainly helps you to reduce your extra pounds, but not greatly. It is likely to cut down only a few pounds. Only a few numbers of studies have shown the efficiency of Alli. You need to avoid consumption of Alli if you: • Do not have any problem of overweight • Take cyclosporine • Have had a surgery of organ transplant • Have problems in absorbing food This drug may pose danger for anyone, who consumes blood-thinning medicines or has thyroid disease or diabetes problems. Overview: According to a few manufacturers, often weight loss happens within the initial six months. Many individuals, who have medicines to cut down weight, regain their weight if they discontinue the intake of medicines. Therefore, to maintain the weight steadily, it is advisable to take Alli for an indefinite period together with low calorie, low fat diet, and regular exercises. A pack of Alli costs $ 60 that includes a diary, reference guides, and medicine supply for one month.




Will the Mediterranean Diet Work for Me?

Will the Mediterranean Diet Work for Me?

The Mediterranean diet is surely one of the hottest things you can try today as any hardcore dieter can tell you. It seems to be quite easy to follow being a lot less restrictive than other diet plans and wine consumption is actually encouraged (with moderation, of course, what did you think?) A lot of people both medical professionals, nutritionists and dieters seem to believe that this is the perfect diet if you want to achieve a healthy weight, keep your blood pressure low and reduce the risk of heart disease. Is it really so? And will it work for you? I would like to point the basics of this diet: fresh fruits and vegetables rule supreme, a huge amount of vegetarian dishes traditionally prepared with fresh produce (no frozen, no canned etc), a lot of fish, some poultry and very little beef or pork. Well, it does sound very healthy. The fact is, they do have fruits and vegetables in season all year round. As we all know, this is not the case in Northern Europe and much of the US. And nor is it likely for anyone living here to find organic produce at reasonable prices. The true Mediterranean diet can be very, very expensive. Another thing that bugs me when it comes to Mediterranean diet is that olive oil is considered to be the ultimate source of phenolic compounds, known to help reduce cholesterol and decrease the risk of developing certain types of cancer. It's great to replace as much animal fat with unprocessed vegetable fat, but olive oil it's not the only thing that can help you if you are after more phenolic compounds in your diet. Phenolic compounds may be found in berries, prunes, red grapes and red grape juice, kiwifruit, currants, apples and apple juice, and tomatoes. Note to any Med diet fan - red wine is not really necessary, red grapes and red grapes juice will do just fine if you are not comfortable with daily alcohol consumption. And the last thing that stands between most of us and this diet is time. This diet takes an awful lot of time. You have to prepare every single meal from fresh produce. If you've ever traveled in that part of the world, you'll notice that people true to their roots and traditions cook with fresh produce for every single meal, no frozen dinner. Also, it should not be discounted that life on the Mediterranean is generally conducted at a slower pace than life in the United States and Western Europe. Perhaps another important factor of this diet is not only what they eat, but also how they eat it. After all, many people in the Mediterranean are eating their healthful meals during a long relaxing midday break, as opposed to gobbling down a frozen meal during a quick lunch hour while simultaneously trying to make it to another ten appointments. Reducing stress can help keep your heart healthy and can certainly cut down on the amount of stress-induced eating that we do, whether or not we eat Mediterranean food.



Free Diet Plans Can Work for You

Free Diet Plans Can Work for You

Dieting web sites and dieting plans are so successful that it's almost a given that anybody can find the perfect free dieting scheme on the internet. Free diet plans are, well, free - you don't pay anything upfront. But many people don’t trust them having a good reason. The famed "cabbage soup diet" or the "3 days diet" are just two random examples of diet plans that will never work and can even be downright dangerous. So how can you find a sound free diet plan? Is there any such a thing? The keyword when you're looking for a diet plan is common sense. Use your knowledge and your intuition to pick between the various diets, it's not that hard. For example it would be a good thing to find out right from the start what the right amount of calories you need based on your current weight and daily activity. It's worth noting that even if you are 100 lbs and a complete couch potato, you still need about 1300 calories per day just to stay alive and well. For most of us, a good dieting plan would do nothing more than give some guidelines on what to eat to stay within the daily limits for calories. And any plan that attempts to tell you that 500 calories per day is good for you won't help you at all. After decades of dieting, many people have become more knowledgeable and it's easier to say when we are eating something we shouldn't. Any scheme, be it a free diet plan or one especially made for you by a dietician, will take into account that you will be faced with having to eat some no-so-healthy food sooner or later. You never know what will be on the menu at your cousin's wedding party or at that very important dinner meeting with out of town customers. The next very important thing is to find a diet that can accommodate your favorite foods, even if they are pork chops and fries. You won't be able to diet and feel happy about it if you have to give up everything you like. Incorporating foods you like is beneficial in the long run and it will drastically decrease the danger of binge eating. And another tricky part you have to take into account when you try a free diet plan is during the day you are most likely to eat. I am yet to find a person who likes to eat very early in the morning and needs to diet. Hey, maybe I'm on to something here! A good diet plan will make the transition from a dedicated evening eater to a healthy morning eater seem easy and enjoyable. And the whole purpose of a diet plan is to make life and food enjoyable even when it's served in small, healthy bites. Dieting is supposed to be fun, to make you feel happier, healthier and ready to try even more nice new things in your life! For more information on dieting, visit www.proactol.com





What are the Alternatives to Xenical Weight Loss Pills?

What are the Alternatives to Xenical Weight Loss Pills?

In an age of medical break-through, can modern medicine play a role in the battle against today’s obesity epidemic? Xenical has traditionally been a prescription only capsule prescribed to obese patients, and recently, the FDA gave the thumbs up to an over the counter version - Alli. Both products contain the active ingredient Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor that helps prevent fat being absorbed into the body. Is Xenical safe? When taken at meal times, Orlistat reduces the amount of fat that is broken down in the stomach and absorbed into the body by about 30%. Instead, fats are expelled naturally in faces, thus helping towards weight loss. Xenical sounds ideal for those of us who struggle to keep to a healthy diet. However, the active ingredient, Orlistat, is usually only prescribed to obese people with a body mass index in excess of 30kg/m². So if you are not dangerously overweight, Xenical/Alli may not be the right option for you. In either instance, you should always consult your doctor. There are also some worrying side effects: What are the Xenical's and Alli's side effects? Brace yourself. Some rather unpleasant side effects have been reported from use of Orlistat products. Users have reported uncontrollable anal discharges, so taking this drug could well result in embarrassing situations. Other possible effects are oily stools, loss of bowel control, diarrhea rectal pain, liver inflammation and fatigue. So Orlistat based products may not be the shining ray of light overweight people have been hoping for. Are there any safe, effective alternatives? There are hundreds of weight loss products on the market, but few have been clinically proven to be effective. There are products on the market that are proven to have very similar benefits to Orlistat in reducing fat in take, but with out the nasty side effects. Proactol™ is a relatively new weight management product that also reduces fat from the food we eat by around 30%, butin a different way. Proactol™ - Safe, Clinically Proven Fat Binder Proactol™ is based on a patented fiber complex, that rather than just preventing fat from being broken down, pulling in fat molecules and binding them into a viscous solution in the stomach. So fat is prevented from entering the body without the embarrassing side effects of Xenical and Alli. Initial user feedback of Proactol™ is extremely positive, and as well as reducing fat intake. Proactol has the following associated benefits: • Helps to suppress appetite • Helps to reduce cholesterol levels • Decreases food cravings With hundreds of "miracle pills" on the market, Proactol™ is one of the few that lives up to its claims of effectiveness. In several pre-clinical trials it has proven to be a highly effective alternative to Orlistat based products. As with most weight loss supplements, Proactol™’s best results come when used in combination with a healthy diet and active lifestyle. To learn more about safe, visit Proactol™’s official site today.





Eating a Healthy Diet - eating healthily

Eating a Healthy Diet

One of the important things you can do for your overall health is to eat a healthy diet. Your diet affects your weight and increases your risks of health diseases. Deciding a healthy diet is easier to say than to do because it is tempting to eat less healthy foods. Different people decide different healthy diet because you might eat this kind of diet while others just cannot stand the food you eat and find its alternative. That’s what health experts are here for, to let us know which food are healthier than others.

What are the principles of healthy eating?

Know What Healthy Food Is and How You Should Eat

When pursuing a healthy eating plan, you should remember the following:

1. Try and Eat a Variety of Different Colored Food - You should remember that different foods have different nutritional values. Food can be rich in antioxidants or Vitamin C. So, when you go to do your regular weekly shop, try and see what different colored foods you can pick up.

Down the fruit and vegetable aisle you should see greens, yellows, oranges and reds. You should have as much of a color variety in your trolley as you can. For example, when picking out fruit pick up strawberries, oranges, pineapple, apples, blueberries and bananas and you will notice what a large color selection you actually have. The same goes for vegetables. Basically, more color means that it is better and healthier for you.

2. Eat Foods from All Food Groups - The problem with many diets these days is the fact that they tell you to cut certain foods from certain food groups, out of the diet altogether. This means that you lose important nutrition and don’t eat as healthy as you could be. So, the answer to a healthy diet is to eat a variety of different foods.

Generally, fruit and vegetables should make up the main portion of your diet but you still need carbohydrates such as potatoes, meat or fish and a little bit of fatty foods like flaxseed oil which many experts recommend as part of a good fat diet. Overall, a diverse mixture of all food groups is needed for a healthy diet!

3. When You Need to Eat Snack, Do It on Healthy Foods – It doesn’t mean that just because you want to lose weight, you’ll have to skip your snack. In fact, snacking can actually be quite good for you just as long as you are eating the right foods.

Generally, when we want to eat snack, we reach for a biscuit or a packet of crisps. However, if you want to eat a healthy snack, then you will have to swap those for nuts, seeds or fruit and vegetables. That way you will get energy, you will also be full until your next meal time and it will be completely healthy.

Since you know what foods you like and what you don’t, you really have to decide for your own healthy eating plan. However, the said tips above can help you to choose the best healthy eating plan for you.

If you are switching to a healthy eating plan, then a Proactol™ can help you. Proactol™ is new clinically proven weight loss product that can help you cut down your fat intake by 28% of your dietary fat intake when taken after food. You don’t have to deprive yourself of foods you love to eat healthy. Just eat the food you like in moderation and take Proactol™ to deal with your diet effortlessly.

Practicing a sensible weight loss is not just taking a diet pill - you should live for a long-lasting healthy lifestyle.

Visit www.proactol.com to see how you can achieve sensible weight loss.








Diet Coke Can Help You Lose Weight

Diet Coke Can Help You Lose Weight

Is Diet Coke a safe replacement for regular carbonated beverages? Can it really help you lose weight or, at least, is it a good choice when it comes to cutting calories? There are as many pros and cons to Diet Coke as with anything else in the world. Some people would say carbonated beverages are a definite no-no when it comes to a healthy life style and a seriously committed weight loss program, while others would say Diet Coke has zero calories so why not drink it if you really enjoy carbonated soft drinks. Artificial sweeteners are beneficial. They don't promote tooth decay or affect blood sugar levels in diabetics like sugar does. Also, judicious use can help in weight loss. For example, if you drank, say, three 12-ounce cans of regular sugar-based Classic Coke every day and then switched to artificial sweetened Diet Coke, you would decrease your calorie intake by 480 calories a day, or 3,360 fewer calories a week. Theoretically, by doing this, it is possible to reduce weight by about one pound a week, given that any 3500 calories which are not used are stored as one pound of fat in our bodies. In fact there are so many healthy food products available today, that it's really hard to imagine how come we are faced with an ever increasing obesity problem. This situation has led many to put the blame on artificial sweeteners, when in fact the problem lies elsewhere. The fact is a low-fat or no-fat diet just makes you hungry for more sweets to counterbalance the horrible taste bland foods have. We don't eat and drink only because we are hungry, but also because we enjoy certain aromas and tastes and when food lacks aroma and taste we do try to make up for it. And there are also people who need a high dose of caffeine on a daily basis. Caffeine addiction is quite common in today's world, even though most of us would rather not to call it a true addiction. Caffeine is a great stimulant for the human body because it keeps us focused and active and we like to feel that energy boost every time we drink something that contains caffeine. This is why caffeine is used in most of today's weight loss pills. It can also have a low to mild appetite suppressant effect. In case you do need to drink more than 3 cans of coke a day, you can at least do yourself a favor and have Diet Coke. It will give you all the benefits of caffeine without the headaches of counting the sugar calories. Of course, replacing meals with Diet Coke or any coke for that matter is not a good idea. Even if caffeinated beverages are a great help when dieting, you should not skip meals and - as you already know by now - you should plan for a balanced, healthy diet. This will help you make the most of your weight loss efforts and will ensure long term results.






Thursday, 7 August 2008

Can The Cabbage Soup Diet Help You To Lose Weight?

Can The Cabbage Soup Diet Help You To Lose Weight?

The cabbage soup diet is a short-term weight loss diet rich in fiber and low in fatty substances. It helps to lose your body weight rapidly. The main emphasis of this diet is simply plain cabbage soup. Dieticians recommend that the more you stick to this diet, the greater will be see a reduction of weight in your body The cabbage soup diet is a seven-day diet plan, aimed to achieve rapid weight loss. On each of these seven days, you can taste a new nutritious food along with the soup. Unlike other dieting plans, the cabbage soup diet is not a long run weight loss resolution. However, you can witness the effectiveness of the diet within a short period of its commencement. This diet offers quick weight loss and at the same time, it lacks nutrition, variety and flavor. During the 7 day diet plan, you mostly will have soups of onion, cabbage, celery, tomatoes, mushrooms and carrots. Dieticians say that most people gain weight due to the dramatic intake of calorie food. This diet plan avoids the consumption of high calorie food and helps you to lead a healthy lifestyle. Cabbage Soup diet is extremely easy and economical diet. You are able to enjoy having as much as soup you desire during these seven days, to avoid gaining extra weight. Avoid continuing the diet plan for more than seven days or else you may lose essential minerals and vitamins from your body.

Cabbage Soup Diet - 7 Day Diet Plan:
The one week diet plan of cabbage soup diet involves:
• Day-1: All you can have is soup and fruits (avoid bananas). Drink plenty of cranberry juice, water, and sugarless tea.
• Day-2: Take all the vegetables and soup that you desire (avoid peas, corn and beans). Consume a buttered grilled potato at dinner. Avoid taking fruit.
• Day-3: Consume all the fruits, vegetables and soups you desire and nothing else.
• Day-4: Consume soup, not more than 8 bananas and have skim milk.

• Day-5: Have not less than one cup of soup. You can have 10 to 20 oz. of skinless beef or chicken and not more than 6 tomatoes. Drink plenty of water.
• Day-6: Have sufficient vegetables and skinless beef. At the sixth day, you can go ahead with the animal protein. Be sure to add vegetables and salad and avoid mainly carbs. Do not fry the meats and potatoes.
• Day 7: Consume at least one cup of soup. Eat only brown rice, sugarless fruit juice and vegetables.






Are Slimming Pills Dangerous For You? - weight loss pills

Are Slimming Pills Dangerous For You?

It is a human tendency and need to fix a problem as fast as possible and the same is with over weight people, as they naturally want an instant remedy to lose weight. Many people, especially younger women believe that the easier way to lose weight is by using slimming pills. People who take slimming pills feel that they have total control over their actions and they will stick to their recommended dosage. In reality, it is not true. People have started increasing the amounts prescribed, as they wish to speed up their weight loss expectations. Slimming pills are often the last resort to help people, who are grossly overweight and need to lose some weight, or struggling to lose some more. Many health professionals agree that slimming pills do help many people. However, it is an emergent trend that the general public feel suspicious that these pills may have some side effects too. Certain slimming pills, if consumed without prescription can be dangerous. The most popular slimming pills are Reductil, Xenical. These pills are available through proper prescription only. Xenical works as a fat buster and hence, less fat is absorbed in the body. Reductil is quite effective as a slimming pill, but is best for severely overweight or obese people. The pills mentioned above are a good option for weight loss. However, you cannot assume that these pills are magical pills. These pills will not help you to reduce weight overnight. It may take months or may be years before you visualize a weight change in you. Slimming pills does not come with a tag of calorie-controlled diet. So, before you buy any slimming pills, remember to consult your physician. Mild Disadvantages: Xenical slimming pills come with some side effects, although these effects are gentle and avoidable. The common side effects include a sudden bowel movement, oily stools, and repeated bowel movements. There are also complaints of losing control over bowel movement by many people. Another popular and preferred slimming pill is Alli, which is quite responsible of giving diarrhea, anal leakage and various other side effects to its several users. This slimming pill is proved to help reduce just 1 pound. Actually, this pill unites with fats present in the body and takes them out of the digestive system, making it impossible to digest properly. On the other hand, it also obstructs all those necessary fats that are required by the body to remain healthy. Hence, it becomes a necessity to consult your doctor before starting to intake such slimming pills.








Can Slimming World Work For Me?

Can Slimming World Work For Me?

We are what we eat. Food is essential for us to give stimulation and hence, to supply energy to the body and to provide substances to repair and build tissues and supply them to control body processes. As we know, the basic groups of nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water. Healthy eating along with good exercise will help to keep you in shape and healthy. The Slimming World Food Optimizing Diet promotes weight loss through calorie restriction in the diet. A healthy eating diet is encouraged to be active rather than exercise. A proper diet is required to be a part of slimming world.

Slimming World Diet Plan: It is important to keep a weekly diet plan under the Slimming World Food Optimizing plan:

1. Start from The First Day of the Week - Monday: Start your slimming world weekly plan with a trip to a fruit section in a supermarket. You can have a tangerine for breakfast and healthy drink. Try to avoid coffee. For lunch, enjoy a lean turkey sandwich, amongst other options. Now for the last meal of day that is dinner, you can get skinless chicken breast with broccoli and a piece of fruit for desert.

2. Second Day - Tuesday: The second day of your slimming world diet plan will have a bran muffin with a glass of juice for breakfast. You can eat chicken for lunch. Dinner will be stir-fried vegetables.

3. Third Day – Wednesday: Bran cereal for breakfast, lunchtime with salad, and you can also go for meatballs with little moderation.


4. Fourth Day – Thursday: Do you like Oatmeal? It is a part of a healthy breakfast. For lunch, you can have spaghetti. For Dinner, you can have a delicious bowl of soup.


5. Fifth Day – Friday:
You can get yourself a piece of toast and glass of milk. A tuna sandwich is best for lunch. Moreover, for dinner, you can have a veggie burger. Try to avoid fries.


6. Sixth Day – Saturday:
It is the weekend and it is your time. Make eggs Benedict for breakfast with a muffin. You can have bean soup for lunch and a veggie salad for dinner meal.


7. Seventh Day- Sunday: For breakfast, you can enjoy a bagel with a glass of milk. Mixed green salad for lunch is preferred. For dinner, you can go for fish soup. This is just an example of a dietary plan for the week, this can be changed and adapted, as there are loads of ideas within the program.






What weight loss exercise programes actually work?

What weight loss exercise programes actually work?

The most ideal and healthy weight loss exercise programes are:
• Something that you love (wish) to do
• Something that you may do daily for 30 to 60 minutes
• Something that may make you better and slim
Exercise does not mean that you need to do regular workouts. It also includes watching TV, reading books and sleeping. It is all about something that make you move around and rejoice. If you like playing golf, it is also a good means to cut down considerable weight, but play without making use of golf cart.
Just carry out some sort of activity daily for at least one hour. If you find unable to prepare a workout plan, simply do something in your home. You have the opportunity to cut down more weight by doing something that you love to do. You may also bond with it for longer period, since it does not seems to be a work. Advanced Weight loss Exercise Programes: In order to reduce those extra pounds on your body, you may need to carry out advanced weight loss exercise programes. Interval Training is one of such advanced weight loss exercise programes. It is a program, wherein you do hard or fast exercises for a certain period followed by an easy and slow workout plan. For instance, you may jog for a moment and walk on for the next couple of minutes. Such kind of weight loss exercise programes most often last for twenty minutes maximum and 10 minutes minimum. Similarly, if you jog up or walk and come down flights of steps, there is a chance of possible weight loss. Here, you will find a bit difficult to move up and will feel easy to come down. Hence, if you carry out such weight loss exercise programes, you are in fact working fast or hard only the half of a time and resting other half by exercising slowly or easily. Similarly, if you have children, then play with them daily for an hour. By doing so, you are not only promoting your weight loss exercise program, but also preventing them from being lethargic and obese. You can cut down your weight by even doing activities such as gardening, yard work, and housecleaning. These activities are not only tasks to perform around your house, but also natural weight loss exercise programes.










What Are The Top 10 Diets?

What Are The Top 10 Diets?

Atkins Diet The Atkins diet is the most admired of the top 10 diets. This low-carbohydrate diet encourages the elimination of carbohydrates from your diet. The diet really works and you can munch as much as fats and proteins you want. However, before starting this diet, study a bit to know the suitability of this diet for your body.

South Beach Diet This diet is one of the most successful of the top 10 diets to lose weight. It is not a low-fat or low-carb diet. Instead, it focuses on consuming the correct amount of fats and carbs. The diet depends on the glycemic index. It limits the intake of carbs in the initial two weeks and then re-introduces those carbs with a low glycemic index. You need to eat three healthy meals daily, along with some snacks, provided they are healthy enough.

Cabbage Soup Diet It is also one of the effective of the top 10 diets. The diet contains insignificant amount of calories. You will observe instant weight loss, if you stick to cabbage soup diet for a week. The more soup you consume, more pounds you drop.

Grapefruit Diet
This is the finest weight loss diet for obese people. The advantages of this diet arrive from the addition of grapefruit to a low-calorie and low-fat diet.

SlimFast Diet
This is also one of the superior of the top 10 diets. The diet restores your breakfast and lunch meals, with two SlimFast shakes, and puts ahead for a usual meal for dinner. These low calorie shakes will help you to lose weight.

Other Superior Diets:


Subway Diet It is also a well-known diet of the top 10 diets. The low fat content in the Subway sandwiches assist you to lose weight.

The Beverly Hills Diet
This diet reaps the benefits of the natural chemical reaction of foods when consumed to lose weight. The diet is quite strict, as protein needs to go with proteins and carbohydrates with carbohydrates only. The diet is exceptionally restrictive, but motivates rapid weight loss.

3-Day Diet This is also one of best of top 10 diets. The diet can be ideal to lose weight, if you can follow a three-day meal plan without wandering from it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Diet This is one of the sensitive diets of the top 10 diets. Hence, you need to follow it carefully. It is a low-calorie diet, which stimulates quick weight loss.

Negative Calorie Diet
This is one of the ultimate types of diet among the top 10 diets to reduce weight. It includes addition of healthy vegetables to your diet as much as possible.







Top 10 Weight Loss Tips top tips to help you loser weight

Top 10 Weight Loss Tips

If you add the below mentioned weight loss tips in your day-to-day lifestyle, you will not only feel better, but also look better. Avoid trying to do all these weight loss tips at once, since they do not work well with everybody. Pick one, and practice it for a week, see if you are comfortable, if not choose another one. If you really want to reduce your weight, then have patience since you may have to wait at least three months to witness the positive outcomes of your weight loss programs. A few Effective Weight loss Tips: Below cited are some of the weight loss tips that will help you to cut down the additional pounds that you gained due to an improper diet plan.
1. This is the most vital and natural weight loss tips according to many dieticians. It is advisable to take fruits and vegetables, since they contain beneficial vitamins, fibers and antioxidants.
2. Eating ample of fresh fruits is one of the most effective weight loss tips. This is especially of great use when you eat these fruits between mealtimes. Since, this helps to regulate your sugar level and cravings.
3. Have fresh vegetables with everyday lunch and evening mealtime. Avoid mixing of proteins with starch.
4. Maintain meat consumption to less than 4 to 5 servings a week, which means you need to take vegetarian dishes too.
5. Replace meat with legumes, but begin gradually. You can make use of lentils, peas, and dry beans.
6. Avoid drinking liquids during mealtime. If you feel thirsty, try to drink a bottle of water after 10 minutes.
7. If you take less amount of meal, it may help to balance your intake of calorie level. Beside this, it keeps your sugar level well balanced. Instead of having three big meals a day, it is advisable and beneficial to have 5 to 6 light and small meals all through the day.
8. Pop, cream, juices and sugar in your tea or coffee can add up your weight. Instead, drink at least eight glasses of water each day, since it provides hydration to your body and helps to feel full.
9. Most dieticians also suggest 30 to 60 minutes of physical exercise daily to remain healthy and to cut down those extra pounds.
10. If you really want to cut down your weight, you need to avoid alcohol. Since, these substances are rich in calorie and add additional weight on your body.







The Best Natural Weight Loss Supplements

The Best Natural Weight Loss Supplements

Hundreds and thousands of individuals shed weight problems by natural way without the fear of any side effects. By drawing the power of natural herbals and supplements, you can also lose your weight considerably. Natural weight loss by means of herbals and supplements is often effective as well as safe, if you make use of it avidly. By natural weight loss, you not only loose unhealthy and needless weight, but also ensure to safeguard your body during the process. Natural weight loss supplement is very effective in the process of reducing the calorie consumption and thereby increases the chances to reduce substantial weight. Before you visit to your closest pharmacy for any natural weight loss supplements, consider a few guidelines while selecting weight loss supplements. For instance:
• Read the Constituents Thoroughly: A few natural weight loss supplements contain constituents such as ephedra alias ephedrine that links to several illnesses and side- effects. Sometimes, it may cause seizures, stokes, and heart attacks.

• Watch out For Addiction: Natural weight loss supplements that include amphetamine may trigger withdrawal symptoms, while you decide to stop the medicines. Sometimes, you may develop addiction of these pills making it unable to discontinue these medications. The long-term usage of any weight loss pills results in the development of various side effects.
Natural Way to Cut Down Your Weight: If you are confused to decide the best natural weight loss supplement, look at the below cited medications:
• Hoodia: You can consider this diet capsule to get rid of your obesity problems naturally. Recently, researchers have found that supplements in Hoodia features high potential to reduce an individual’s weight significantly. It has the capacity to restrain your appetite by up to 2000 calories each day. It has all the organic and natural constituents and is the outcome of a research lasting three decades by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa.
• Opuntia Ficus-Indica: Another most valuable natural weight loss supplements to reduce your weight. It is also called as Barbary or Indian Fig, belongs to the cacti category grown mainly for its fruit. It is very effective in the process of weight loss. Researchers have proved that cacti fibers are of great use, when it encounters excess fat. It holds it up instantly and creates big molecule for your body to take up. In addition, this process helps to reduce the cholesterol level in your bloodstream.
• Shellfish: It greatly helps to reduce your weight above your expected level. It is advisable by the dieticians to consume thrice in a week to get a positive outcome.











Is Quick Weight Loss Possible? Lose weight fast

Is Quick Weight Loss Possible?

Lose considerable weight quickly by a pill. This is a concept that you may have often come across while watching TV. Is this really a true promise. How will you identify a true promise of such ads. Watch out diet pill commercials for the below cited things:
• Do they suggest diet and work out plan?

• What are the pill’s side effects?
Most of these quick weight loss pills have small effect without exercise and diet. Dieticians have designed these pills to supplement exercise and diet.
All fast weight loss drugs and pills have possible side effects, since they are all an unfamiliar substance to an individual’s body. The most common side effect of these quick weight loss pills is anal discharge. If you have sense this, then immediately consult your pharmacist or doctor. Companies assert these truths on the ads, but few commercials are misleading. For instance, I have witnessed the disclaimer in a latest ad that declared the physician, who promoted the product as a PhD and not an MD. Will you trust such company’s products for your quick weight loss. If not, you are a clever person. There had been a little success from genuine research studies to reveal any herbal or modern pill responsible for quick weight loss. Secondly, a few people suggest that natural supplement is beneficial in the process of weight loss and natural weight loss pills are the ideal way to get rid of excessive fats. Similarly, other few people say that modern pills are great way to reduce your weight noticeably. Yet, in both these cases, you swallow foreign substances. Furthermore, these natural and unnatural products really do not go with your body in the process of quick weight loss, if they are unapproved by the FDA. Overview: Today, weight loss pills necessitate you to eat healthy and well-balanced meal and to carry regular exercise and at the same time, you can expect a few side effects. In the near future, researchers may come with a fruitful idea to make quick weight loss pills or drugs to reduce the weight without any side effects and extra efforts. Today, however it seems there is only a false hope. In any case, if these quick weight loss pills work, then why there are fatty people found in the world. Sometimes, we believe in these quick weight loss pills very deeply that we pay no heed to the facts.










Fast Weight Loss That Matters

Fast Weight Loss That Matters

Excessive weight in a person could be the result of heredity or genetic disorder (which is beyond the person's control); it may have resulted from the person’s food habits, life style, the nature of work and activities the person routinely engages in, etc. Except in cases of genetic disorders or heredity, generally you gain weight over a long period of time and with reasonable awareness towards your well-being there is generally no reason for you to look for ways to achieve fast weight loss. Excess weight condition matters; so weight loss also matters. Why should fast weight loss matter? And for whom does the fast rate matter? There are two categories of people who look for fast weight loss methods - those who are very obese and have recently become conscious of danger to their health and those who are taken in by those very “alluring but misleading” advertisements showing that you could become super models by following the slimming courses for two or three weeks. Health experts agree that an average person can lose about 1 to 2 pounds of weight per week by correct eating habits and reasonable exercises. This is a safe and healthy amount to lose; you could achieve long lasting results in this way. By adopting additional safe methods such as use of Proactol, a fat binder OTC product, you may be able to lose safely about 2 to 3 pounds per week; that itself would be high weight loss rate. I know many would be keen on losing weight at much higher rate - something like 10 to 15 pounds a week. However take a moment to think. Do you gain weight at anything like 10 to 15 pounds a week steadily? You don't because your body cannot. And if your body cannot add weight at that rate, it will not be able to lose at that rate either without ill effects. By going on a starvation diet to lose weight at an unrealistic rate, all that you manage to lose is your muscles, body fluids - water - , your sleep and money, of course! Achieving fast weight loss is violating the natural rhythm of your body. Quite often it is seen that such drastic results of weight loss achieved are equally rapidly negated. As I said earlier, there are those cases of extreme obesity whose need for faster weight loss may be reasonable because of health concerns. Bariatric surgery may be the answer to the prayer of these obese patients. In these weight loss surgery techniques, called gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding ("Lap Band"), the capacity of the stomach is surgically reduced or limited. This limits the quantity of food the patient is able to eat. This automatically restricts the tendency of the body to have a craving for food and also restricts weight gain. Most of the persons are able to return to their normal work after a few weeks.









Do The Benefits Of Alli Outweigh The Side Effects?

Do The Benefits Of Alli Outweigh The Side Effects?

What is Alli anyway? It is an FDA approved OTC weight reduction product available in the form of pills. Its main component is chemical. It is not a medicine, it is not a dietary supplement, it is not a fat burner; it is a fat blocker or fat binder. It is a relatively new product and is definitely one of the popular weight loss products on the market today. Since excess calories happen to be the main cause of weight gain and fat is the major contributor of the excess calories, blocking the fat from being digested definitely helps in reduction of weight and Alli aims to do that. Alli acts by blocking about 25% of the fats eaten by you from being acted upon by enzymes so that it is not digested. This undigested fat passes through your body in the natural way. Since it prevents fat from being digested, its effectiveness in weight reduction is called as “instant” action. Alli starter kits advise that you should limit your meals to a reduced-calorie diet of 15 gms of fat each. If you are not able to restrict yourself to the 15-calorie limit per meal, manufacturer’s literature points out (not “warns”) that you may experience side effects which the makers of Alli call as “treatment effects”. The vastly popular McDonald’s Big Mac has 34 grams of fat, and the Burger King Whopper has 40; they leave the limit of 15 gms specified by Alli miles behind so far as fat content is considered. It is obvious that to avoid the “treatment effects” successfully you may have to drastically alter your diet and reconsider the way you have your meals now. These restrictions on your life style are bad enough, but if you happen to stray to the wrong side of the 15 gm-“barrier”, you may have very unpleasant consequences to face. Alli literature refers to these consequences as “treatment effects” but in layman’s simple language it means that you may suffer uncontrollable bowel movements, loose stools, very frequent visits to “loo”, “farting” with oily discharge, etc. Alli has been clinically tested and approved so obviously its claims of helping you to lose weight are not in dispute here. What we wish to point out is that it is for the individual to decide how far he or she can reap the benefits of Alli without suffering from its side effects.












Can water help you lose weight?

Can water help you lose weight?

Many people are very skeptical of the suggestion that water can play very effective role in helping them achieve weight loss. Very few people realize that a large proportion of our body is water. Naturally it plays a very important part in our existence. 75% of the lean muscle tissues are water, over 80% of blood is water, body fat and bones account for over 20% of water each. Is it surprising then that water plays a very important role in how our bodies function? Of course, drinking water alone is not going to help you lose weight. If you desire to lose weight in a gradual but sure way, eating right and drinking right are the two major components of the natural weight loss method. Remember that “bad” fats are the main culprits causing excess weight – eat “good fats” that provide essential fatty acids; eat Salmon, Mackerel, Herrings, and Sardines. They help regulate blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and lower risk of heart failure. Good proteins help you in suppressing cravings for food. They are essential in building muscles. Low fat milk products such as skimmed milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and fish are “good“ proteins. Carbohydrates such as beans, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are consumed by the body slowly and hence they are natural hunger-suppressants; they are also moderate on fats and calories. Eat adequate fiber food. Good fiber foods do not contribute much of calories and they are filling. They thus help in suppressing hunger. Moreover fiber does not get digested by the body and while passing through the body it attaches to some of the fats and proteins that we eat; thus they are taken out of the system without being digested! Apples, figs, broccoli, strawberries, brown rice, beans, bran and nuts are good fiber foods. Water plays two important roles in helping you lose weight. Cravings for food are felt when the body dehydrates; if water is consumed in reasonable and adequate measure it suppresses hunger pangs. Liver provides stored fats for energy; water helps metabolism allowing kidneys to flush out waste. Many people will find it surprising that drinking cold water can burn the extra fat in the body; if you drink ice cold water it uses over 60 calories a day from the body – thus the body has to burn over 420 calories a week to raise the temperature of the ice cold water to the body temperature. What a way to beat that excess fat! As we see here water plays an important role in you lose weight; it is a natural appetite suppressant, it helps in dieting and generally a major component in natural weight loss practice.








Can Alli Weight Loss Work For Us?

Can Alli Weight Loss Work For Us?

Normally following a tight regime of a controlled diet and regular exercises are the measures prescribed for weight loss. Most of the people find it difficult to follow these measures over an extended period. It is claimed that with Alli you can escape these grating restrictions and can follow near-normal routines; slowly but steadily you can manage to lose weight and lead a healthier life. Alli is a FDA approved OTC weight loss product. Alli is not a dietary supplement; it is claimed to help you lose weight gradually; by working as a fat binder or fat blocker. Excessive intake of calories causes increase of weight; and fats contribute far more calories in food-intake as compared to proteins and carbohydrates. Fat in our diet is the main culprit in weight gain. When taken in the prescribed manner, the active ingredient of Alli attach themselves to some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system; this prevents these enzymes from breaking down over 25% of the fat you eat. This undigested fat cannot be absorbed by the body and it passes through the body in the natural way. This excess fat is prevented from contributing to weight gain. Alli only works on enzymes that would normally help in digestion of fat. So carbohydrates and proteins are not affected and these nutrients are absorbed by the body in the normal manner. Alli works only in your digestive system; it does not act on your heart or brain. You would not feel unsettling effects such as sleeplessness, racing heart or jitters which are commonly experienced with other weight loss drugs or supplements. When you use Alli to lose weight, you may have to observe certain drastic dietary restrictions, depending on your existing diet. Manufacturers of Alli advise you to consume reduced-calorie meals of 15gms or less of fats on an average. For some this may be a rather severe restriction, but that is the price to pay for being able to have the option of slow but steady weight loss leading to a better life. You may suffer certain side effects such as loose motion, frequent bowel movements, gas, etc. if you do not observe the restriction of 15 gms of fat. Obviously if you are able to adjust to the dietary limitations and put up with the side effects – “treatment effects” as the makers of Alli call them – Alli should be able to work for you.









Fat Loss Made Possible

Fat Loss Made Possible

Generally people confuse weight loss with fat loss from the body. This is a serious misunderstanding. Well-being of a person depends on a certain amount of fat in the body. Fat is emergency storage of energy in your body. Indiscriminate fat loss from the body can be dangerous. Clinically men are considered obese if their body fat level is over 25% and women are considered obese if their body fat level is over 30%; by this reckoning about 60% of population can be categorized as being obese. A program for fat loss basically has two components; first, cutting down consumption of excess calories which cause a build up of fat in the body and secondly gradually burning off the excess fat the body has acquired in the past. Cutting down on intake of excess calories is a matter of observing healthy diet in a disciplined manner; burning off excess fat from the body is generally done by suitable exercises and it can be supplemented by some dietary practices. Some fat burner preparations are available on the market, but it is advisable to avoid them as far as possible. Any program for fat loss must incorporate appropriate routine of exercises. Exercising you will undertake is not for building a six-pack body but to help burn the stored fat and at the same time maintain your health. Aerobic exercises and jogging are the barest minimum that you must include in your routines. Exercises increase the rate of metabolism which helps burn off the fat; muscles burn more calories than fat. Healthy dietary practice would require consumption of appropriate amount of “good” proteins, “good” carbohydrates, and “good” fats. I have used the word “good” deliberately, to be able to clear certain notions people have regarding desirability of certain components of diet. As I mentioned earlier, exercises are essential for general well-being and also for burning calories. Protein is essential in building muscles. Low fat milk products such as skimmed milk, cottage cheese, yogurt as well as fish are rich in proteins but are low on fat. So they are good proteins. Similarly carbohydrates are essential for the body as source of energy. Beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only supply carbohydrates to the body but they are natural hunger-suppressants because body can consume them slowly. They are also moderate on calories and fats. Contrary to popular belief certain fatty foods are very helpful to the body. Fatty acids the body can get from eating fish such as Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines and Herrings help regulate blood pressure, they can lower risk of heart failures, and they prevent blood clotting. Fiber foods hardly contribute any calories, and they are filling. They are natural hunger suppressants. Moreover they are not digested by the body and while passing through the body undigested they help in carrying away some fats and proteins. Apples, beans, broccoli, brown rice, nuts and bran are good fiber foods. Eat adequate fiber food. While trying to lose fat from the body, drink plenty of water - especially ice cold water. Water is a natural appetite suppressant and it is essential in the process of burning up the stored fat. It helps natural weight loss. You will see it is possible to achieve fat loss if realistic practical steps are taken.










The Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Weight Loss

The Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Weight Loss

When you want to lose weight for your wedding day, there are a few do's" and "don'ts" that you should really consider. These few pearls of wisdom can make the difference between a great, slimmer you and a not-so-ideal you. If you have found that your lifestyle is not optimal or, even healthy, than a wedding day weight loss plan may not be the best thing for you. You may need to think more long-term about a nutritional lifestyle change. But, for now, here is what you should know for your big day, and a few bits that can help your whole party look and feel better: Do encourage bridal shower and engagement party planners to incorporate low-fat, healthy food options. Ofttimes, at these affairs that work up to the wedding day, you and your bridal party may eat more than normal. Offering better food choices can benefit everyone involved. Do make staying hydrated a necessity, before, during, and after your wedding day.No matter what your weight loss goal, making sure that you drink lots of fluids will help keep you from becoming dehydrated which can affect your overall weight loss, mental and physical capabilities. Do stay focused on achieving your wedding day weight loss goal. There will be so many other things for you to do during that time which could distract you. Commit to do what you set out to do, and you will see yourself starting to lose weight. Do decrease your high-fat carbohydrate intake. You will be around a lot of food. It is best to steer clear of the butter- and fat-laden breads, and high sugar drinks. These things can offset your weight loss progress. Do take photos of yourself, before, during, and after your wedding. You may be surprised at how you change through the weigh loss process. Do get help if you need it. There are so many weight loss support organizations, and you should consider enlisting the aid of a personal trainer for that extra push. Now, here's the flip side.... Don't require that your whole wedding party lose weight. Losing weight is a personal decision, whether for a wedding or simply for personal health. Weight loss is not something that should be dictated by others. Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself. Going from a size 14 to a size 4 may not be the healthiest thing for you. Have you considered your spouse-to-be? They love you as you are, so you don't want to make your weight loss so dramatic that they "lose" the person that they fell in love with. Don't try to lose too much too quickly. Fad diets are for the moment. They may not be the best or healthiest alternatives for you. Weight loss should be steady, 1-2 pounds per week, and something that a lasting effect. Also, don't buy a wedding dress that would require you to lose weight in a rushed, unhealthy way. Don't forget the purpose of your wedding. The time leading up to your wedding can be a wonderful time in your life. While weight loss may be a part of your wedding day happiness, it is not the total point of your wedding. So often, people can get caught up in all of the excitement of weddings, dresses for the bridesmaids, and all of the other things that go along with making a wedding event successful. Keep your weight loss efforts in perspective, along with the other responsibilities that you have. You can effectively lose weight for your wedding day, but don't do so at the expense of making that day the time of your life!








Top 10 Tips To Lose Weight For Your Honeymoon

Top 10 Tips To Lose Weight For Your Honeymoon

Everyone wants their wedding and honeymoon to be wonderful life experiences, with the bride and groom looking and feeling their absolute best. While some may set their weight loss goals with only their wedding day in mind, others will be completely focused on dropping the weight for the honeymoon. Honeymoon weight loss is most likely a more intimate type of weight loss expectation, as the goal is usually to have your body appear a certain way for your spouse. Some may simply want to look as sexy as possible, or almost picture perfect. While you should always set realistic weight loss goals, these top 10 tips can help you to lose the weight:
1. Make night time eating a "no-no". When you eat late at night, you are taking in calories, but not doing anything to burn them off. This is not good, as frequently eating late is a big contributor to obesity.
2. Make eating breakfast a necessity. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast of lean protein, low-fat carbohydrates, and fruit or vegetables is a key to daily weight loss success. Eating breakfast helps your brain to work better so that you are more productive, helps your body to metabolize your food more efficiently which allows for more calories to be burned, and gives you more energy to do more throughout your day.
3. Don't stop eating carbohydrates. Whole grains are an essential part of a healthy diet and are the much needed carbohydrates that our bodies convert into energy. Instead of high fat, low fiber choices such as white bread and fat-laden cakes, select healthier low-fat carbohydrates such as fortified cereals.

4. Don't leave off exercise. Exercise is a "must do" to achieve weight loss success. When you exercise, your body burns the fat from the foods that you eat more efficiently and also helps in so many other ways, including with your heart and brain. Exercise also has the added benefit of allowing for more targeted workouts to tone and sculpt those problem areas that you want to work on before your wedding and honeymoon.

5. Don't spend a lot of time around food. Unless you work in the food industry, limit the amount of time that you spend looking at or around food. Part of any successful honeymoon weight loss plan is to stay focused on your goal. Being around lots of food can offset you and cause you more anguish and uncertainty about your ability to lose the weight.

6. Enjoy more healthy snacks. Many of us think of weight loss as something that will deprive us of good munchies. This is not true. In fact, the opposite is true. When you eat more healthy snacks, more frequently, in smaller portions, your body will actually work better by speeding up your metabolism and causing you to burn more calories more quickly.

7. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause you to want to eat more and drink lots of high calorie beverages. Drink low-calorie, replenishing drinks that can help your body stay refreshed and well-hydrated.
8. Get a nutritional makeover. Make over your mind about the purpose and use of food, and get a better understand of its use in our lives. Eat for health, look for vitamins and nutrients in your food, and don't deprive yourself of things that you like. Balance it all out and you will enjoy a healthier way of eating for years to come.
9. Lose for the long-term. Don't get too caught up in taking off the weight just for one night. That is sure to leave you feeling empty once that night is over, and may cause you to quickly abandon your new healthier lifestyle. This will actually cause you to gain weight faster.

10. Stay positive. Believe that you can lose the weight. You have to make up in your mind that you are 100% capable of making your honeymoon weight loss goal a reality. Ignore anything to the contrary.
Weddings are wonderful things. Honeymoons can be even more phenomenal. The way that you approach your special day and night will make the all the difference in the world. Being confident in who you are and making the most of this precious time can give you a satisfaction that can last a lifetime.






How to Lose Weight Before the Big Day

How to Lose Weight Before the Big Day

Wedding day weight loss can be a very challenging fete. It takes a lot of patience, commitment, exercise, and change to achieve weight loss success. While it is not an easy task, it is absolutely attainable. Your wedding day is such a special day. For most, it will be the most important event of their lives. Weddings are usually highly planned, greatly anticipated, and quite costly. From photographers to wedding gowns, there is so much to consider. But don't let all of the details keep you from looking the way that you want on your big day. Here are a few simple steps to help you to lose weight before you say, "I do":
1. Plan to exercise. By incorporating some aerobic, anaerobic and strength training exercise into your life, you will be able to burn the calories off. Don't overdo it. Start slowly with shorter workouts at first, maybe even by sneaking exercise into your daily life, such as adding more walking and stair-climbing at first. Then, progress to longer and more body toning workouts. Exercise will not only help you to look good, you will feel good also. You should also consider working closely with a personal trainer that can tailor an effective program to your individual needs.
2. Make sure to eat right. While this is usually easier said than done, eating right is a key to any kind of weight loss. You need to be sure to have a diet rich in lean protein, low-fat carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Contrary to popular belief, when you are trying to lose weight, you should eat smaller meals more frequently. Eating healthy foods, in smaller portions, more frequently throughout the day will help to increase your metabolism. When you increase your metabolism, you burn more calories faster. So, you lose weight.
3. Be realistic about your weight loss goals. When you get married, people are looking at you, the outside you, and the inside you. Your guests will likely be people that you have some type of relationship with and that are there are to celebrate this wonderful moment. They know that you are not rail thin. Many may have watched you through the years. Going from a size 20 to a size 2 would not only be shocking for them, it could also take away from the importance of the day. Set a weight loss goal that will make you feel good about yourself regardless of whether everyone notices. You will know and your spouse-to-be will absolutely know.
4. Don't rush to lose it overnight. Healthy weight loss is not a one-day or one-week thing. It is something that should be done gradually, over an extended period of time. So, plan your weight loss accordingly. Expect to lose between 1-2 pounds per week for healthy, long-term weight loss. Join a weight loss support group if you feel that you need that added help and direction.
Your wedding day will be great, possibly even awesome. Your photos will be gorgeous, and your guests will remember it for years to come. Lose weight the right way, at a pace that you can keep up with, and keep it off. By shedding a few pounds, you could possibly become an even more sensational knock-out at your wedding, but do it wisely.








Lose Weight For Your Wedding Day

Lose Weight For Your Wedding Day

Looking "runway perfect" is a wedding day ideal for many women. Some will do just about anything to make their wedding day perfect, including going after quick, fast wedding day weight loss programs. Like a wedding, weight loss takes planning. The same efforts that you put into your wedding planning, taking care to ensure that you have the most lovely flowers, delicious food, and space for your guests to enjoy, is how you should approach your wedding day weight loss. You did not plan your wedding one day and get married the next. So, your weight loss should not be handled like that also. Like your wedding, your weight loss should lead to a long-term life arrangement. You have decided to make a commitment to someone, and with that, you anticipate having good days and not-so-wonderful days at some point. This, too, holds true for weight loss. It should be a personal commitment to do something that will help you as a person. There may be some instant gratification that comes along with losing a few pounds quickly, and, of course, there are plenty of ways to do it. From using fat binders that can constrict natural movement or that hold you so tight that you can barely breathe, to not eating for long periods of time. Neither of these is the best for your body, and will quickly wear thin on you emotionally as well. To effectively lose weight for your wedding day, you should:
• Keep your overall health prominent in your mind. You may not want to do any fad diets or use harsh chemicals that can cause issues to arise.
• Go for long-term results. For most, the wedding is only one day, but if you plan for the long term, you can have a life of good health.
• Do your best to stay motivated. There may be days when you feel good about your weight loss efforts, and days when you don't. Don't let the rough days keep you from staying the course. You should believe that you can be successful.

• Find an outlet. Weddings and weight loss can be very stressful. Take some time out to do something that you want to do for yourself to release some of the tension. It may be something creative or family-based. No matter what it is, use it to maintain a good balance and outlook.
• Be true to yourself. Lose weight because you want to, not because someone is telling you that you should or have to. It's not about other people, it's about your happiness. You can be successful in achieving your wedding day weight loss goals. Just keep everything in perspective, do your best to stay focused, and relish this fantastic time to be the center of attention. It's your wedding day and you will be fabulous!








Natural Weight Loss And Weddings

Natural Weight Loss And Weddings

When you are planning for your wedding, it seems like your whole life moves very fast at times, and extreme slow at other times. The same holds true for when someone tries to lose weight for their wedding day. While wedding day weight loss is a common thing, as most people want to look as fabulous as possible on their special day, it should be done in a very natural way. Many weddings are marked by the wedding party trying to squeeze into small dresses to look as "good" as they think they can look. But, often, this is done at an expense to their bodies and overall well-being. Weight loss should never be a rush-rush thing. It should happen as naturally as possible. Natural weight loss is a much safer and healthier way to lose weight for your wedding day, or any day. Losing weight does not take all types of new drugs or expensive equipment. In fact, being dependent on such things can actually be a hindrance for long-term weight loss success. Here are a few ways to make your wedding day weight loss goals happen naturally:
1. Don't use drugs to lose weight. Instead of harmful drugs, try to start with a natural body cleanse, which you can do by drinking more water and/or herbal teas. Tea can work as a diuretic and antioxidant, which promotes frequent urination which can help to rid your body of certain unwanted free radicals. Eating more roughage such as dark green vegetables and fiber can help you to eliminate more waste from your body, allowing the body to cleanse itself naturally. With a fairly clean inside, you will lose some weight and your body will be prepped for a more healthier regimen.
2. Be honest about your goal. Don't make yourself think that you have to lose enough weight to be the skinniest person at the wedding. Consider the ultimate purpose and goal of your weight loss, your body type, and the rewards of a real plan to lose weight for the long haul. Doing it too fast can definitely cause much more harm than good. The faster you lose it, the faster you may gain it back. Utilize a plan that works consistently over a specified period of time.
3. Find support. Whether it is for motivation for with sticking to an exercise program or for encouragement to eat better, if you feel that you cannot go it alone, get help. There are many organizations that foster positive, natural weight loss ideals that you can live by. These groups will give be there for you emotionally during this time as you make a personal commitment to lose the weight. If you need more assistance with developing or incorporating an effective exercise plan into your life, then you should seek out a personal trainer. Some gyms offer them free of charge, while others charge an hourly fee. Don't let the cost scare you away from utilizing a personal trainer. The results of that added support will be priceless. Whenever we prepare for life changes, we sometimes want a quick fix to make the transition go smoother. The same holds true with wedding day weight loss. However, a quick fix is not always the best solution. So, as you prepare for an awesome wedding day, and hopefully, and even more fantastic wedding night, take the same care and planning for your weight loss. Looking good can be a natural thing.





What is the Dash Diet ?

What Is the Dash Diet?

High blood pressure or Hypertension is a malady many people suffer from. The optimum level of blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg and blood pressure even slightly over this level is considered as a sign of unhealthy state. Higher your blood pressure above normal, the greater is the risk to your health. It is known that diet does influence conditions of hypertension and certain diet plans can help in lowering the elevated blood pressure. This dietary approach to controlling hypertension is called “DASH”, short for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension”. Is It Really Effective Studies, supported by NHLBI (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute), were conducted to evaluate effects of nutrients, as they occur together in food, on blood pressure. This study was the basis for DASH. The study showed that a diet which was low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol and rich in low-fat dairy products, vegetables and fruits dramatically reduced the elevated blood pressures. Incidentally this diet is rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as fiber and protein. In the clinical tests, the DASH diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods but low in amounts of saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, brought down systolic blood pressure on an average by about 6 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure by about 3 mm Hg. In case of patients with high blood pressure the diet worked even better --11 mm Hg drop in the systolic and about 6 mm Hg in the diastolic. Significantly these reductions came about within 2 weeks of starting the DASH diet! What Is Permittd In DASH The DASH diet plan is rich in many nutrients. It is beneficial not only in condition of high blood pressure but for general good health also. If you follow the recommended 2000 calories a day diet plan, your body will be getting 500 mg of magnesium, 1240 mg of calcium and 4700 mg of potassium; these amounts are 200% to 300% of what most Americans get in their normal diet. Relation between high blood pressure and being overweight has been known for long. It is quite natural, therefore, to find that the diet suggested for reducing blood pressure has shades of a diet normally associated with natural cure for weight loss. Many components of the DASH diet plan such as low saturated fat, total fat and use of a large amount of low-fat dairy products, vegetables and fruits which include fiber and proteins are similar to a natural weight loss diet plan. The DASH plan gives detailed diet plans corresponding to different levels of calorie intake intended. It is quite easy to adapt the DASH plan for weight loss or fast weight loss by selecting the suggested DASH diet for calorie intake which is less than what one is already taking. Please note, however, that if you are taking medication for high blood pressure condition, do not stop the therapeutic treatment you are receiving when you start on DASH diet plan; consult your physician about the drug treatment.








What Are Best Ways To Undertake Detox Diet

What Are Best Ways To Undertake Detox Diet

Before considering ways to “detox”, let us first understand what toxins are. Without getting involved into scientific terminologies we could look upon anything that is capable of causing a disease on contacting or on being absorbed by body tissues, or simply put anything that is poisonous to our biological functioning, is a toxin. From this point of view our body also produces a lot of waste matter which can be termed as toxin; fortunately our biological system is so programmed that it gets rid of these toxins as a normal function. A detox diet, then, is a dietary system that involves introduction or elimination of certain items of food or drink for the purpose of assisting the body to “purify” itself, or cleanse itself, of toxins, the poisonous substance(s). Detoxing is believed to improve health, resistance to diseases, energy, and aid in natural weight loss. However, many dieticians and doctors regard “detoxing” as no more effective than drinking a glass of water and as such regard detoxing as a fad. Usually "Detox" diets suggest that majority of your food intake should be restricted to fruits and vegetables, and water. Alcohol is totally eliminated. There are many variants of detox diet plans including juice fasting, water fasting, lemonade diet, etc. There are many advocates of these various detox diets and plans. However, most of them are a little harsh for a common man. The following 7 day detox plan follows the basic tenets of detox but is safer, more flexible and hence sensible and will ensure sufficient nutrients to the body while still aiding to lose weight. Your diet may include: Fruits: Apples, bananas, pears, oranges, etc. either fresh, frozen or dried, or canned in natural fruit juice; Fruit juice: Homemade fresh fruit juices or smoothies – not sweetened; Vegetables: Almost any vegetable such as carrots, turnip, sprouts, cabbage, onions, peppers, sweet corn, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, etc. – fresh or frozen. Beans and lentils: Any beans such as haricot, cannelloni, red kidney, black eye, red lentils, green lentils, etc fresh, or dried or canned in water; Potatoes – all types Brown rice and rice noodles Fresh fish: Any fresh fish cod, salmon, lobster, plaice, mackerel, crab, trout, haddock, tuna, Dover sole, red mullet, prawns, etc; Unsalted nuts: Brazil, cashew, hazel nuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, pine nuts, macadamia, walnuts, pistachio, etc; Live natural yoghurt; Garlic, ginger and fresh herbs; Honey; Water: Tap or mineral water at least 2 liters a day; Herbal or fruit teas Avoid the following: Chicken, turkey, Red meat, and meat products such as burgers, sausages, etc; Milk and milk products such as cheese, cream and butter; Eggs; Bread, etc. that contains wheat; Salted snacks, salted nuts; Sweets, jam, chocolate, sugar; Alcohol; Coffee, tea; Fizzy drinks and squashes; Processed foods, Sauces, salad dressing, pickles, mayonnaise; Salt. The detox diet suggested here is easy to follow, and will permit enjoyable meals without violating the requirements of detoxing.




Weight Loss Pills In The News

Weight Loss Pills In The News

Health concerns and desire to look attractive are two major factors that are driving the weight loss industry. Some people are tempted to use OTC medications and weight loss pills to achieve fast results. It should be realized that there is no magic formula or magic wand for losing weight. Healthy eating, low-calorie foods and regular physical activity are the effective ways to lose weight and keep it off. Remember that even if you take weight loss pills it will be necessary to consume low calorie diet. Also remember that taking pills forever for controlling weight is neither practical nor safe. Here we shall look at some of the popular weight loss pills presently in the news: Clenbuterol Alli Xenical Ephedra Ma Huang Bitter orange Hoodia
• Clenbuterol This drug has been in the news recently under its nickname Size Zero Pill or Size 0 pill. It has earned the nickname because of the extremely undernourished and starved look of some of the fashion icons in Hollywood who have been using this pill. This drug is not meant for human consumption; it is a FDA approved drug for treatment of horses. This drug increases heart rate and body temperature thus help burn fat; it suppresses appetite for as long as nine hours after its consumption. It is an extremely unsafe drug.
• Alli Alli is not a medicine; it is a fat burner or fat blocker. It is a FDA approved OTC weight reduction product. Weight gain is caused by excess calorie intake, and consumption of fat is the main cause of excess calorie intake, Alli blocks about 25 % of the fat consumed from being digested; the undigested fat passes through the body in the natural way. Since the fat is prevented from being digested, Alli is effective in weight loss. When you use Alli you are required to limit your meals to 15 gms of fat each, failing which you are likely to have extremely unpleasant side reactions such as bowel movements, loose stools, very frequent visits to “loo”, “farting” with oily discharge, etc. Since even a popular burger exceeds Alli’s limit of permissible fat content, it is a serious limitation the dieter has to contend with.
• Xenical
Alli and Xenical are similar; their composition is the same so their limitations and usefulness (!) will be similar.
• Ephedra Ephedra (ephedrine alkaloid) used in dietary supplements suppresses the appetite. Many popular products used for weight control were found to be using Ephedra at one time. However, it has now been totally banned due to safety concerns. In spite of the ban many ephedra products are still sold on the Internet. Many athletes considered Ephedrine as a performance-enhancing drug. Due to safety concerns it has been prohibited in most competitive sports.
• Ma Huang This is the Chinese name for Ephedra. It also has been banned in USA.
• Bitter Orange
This non-prescription OTC product is claimed to increases the number of calories burned and thus help weight loss. It is being sold as a substitute for Ephedra. It may also cause health problems as Ephedra does. Its long term effects are not known.
• Hoodia
This is an extract from a cactus-like succulent plant from deserts of South Africa. It is being sold as natural appetite suppressant. This has not been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or purity by the FDA and it is a potentially risky product for weight loss.






Weight Loss and Sleep - Their Interconnected Relationship

Weight Loss and Sleep - Their Interconnected Relationship

It is observed that even when you are following a rigorous weight loss program or you are dieting, poor pattern of sleep or lack of sleep may defeat you. Scientific studies show that one of the reasons for weight gain can be lack of sleep. Experts are not quite sure why this happens. There are many reasons being advanced and discussed by the experts. Cortisol is one of the hormones that regulates appetite. It is secreted by the adrenal gland. Both adrenaline and cortisol are released by the body as a normal daily hormonal cycle. Adrenaline increases your metabolism and makes you alert and energetic, Adrenaline helps release of energy by fat cells. Cortisol boosts effectiveness of your body at producing glucose from proteins; thus in times of stress, it helps quickly increase the body’s energy. In times of stress – whether physical or emotional – the body may trigger the adrenal gland to release adrenaline as well as cortisol. This will affect your metabolism by making you feel hungry when you really are not. Lack of sleep could start such an action which will result in weight gain. It is also observed that when you do not get enough sleep, you are depressed and you do not move around much; consequently you do not burn enough fat. This also causes you to gain weight and not lose weight. The mechanism of adrenal fatigue also may be partly responsible for weight gain when you have not had restful sleep. In case of Adrenal Fatigue the brain receives the pick-me-up signal, causing a craving for sugar or carbohydrate snacks, resulting in causing excess of calories to the body. A good restful sleep has the ability to de-stress the mind and body. On the contrary lack of sleep tends to cause a constant state of stress. This will cause production of excess cortisol. Cortisol stimulates glucose production which due to its being in excess is converted into fat. When you are trying to lose weight, getting enough sleep is very essential. Poor sleep affects you physically as well as mentally. You tend to be confused, short tempered and depressed when you lack proper sleep. Follow a natural weight loss routine, treat going to bed at the same time each night as a priority item in your activity schedule. Try to get about 7 to 8 hours sleep. Bed time routines such as washing your face, removing makeup, applying a face mask or some routines of this nature will help you unwind before going to bed. A calm, pleasant frame of mind is very essential for getting good, restful sleep.






Weight Control That Can Work For You

Weight Control That Can Work For You

Is weight loss the same as weight control? When you are not in control of something, you find it difficult to maintain it where it is. When you are not in control of your weight, you tend to lose weight or gain weight. So when you are in control of your weight, you would be able to maintain your weight more or less steady or gain or lose it as you will.

Unfortunately with over sixty-five percent of U.S adults being either overweight or obese, majority of the people confuse weight control with weight loss. The confusion is worse confounded because the considerations by which you achieve weight control are the same as those by which you achieve weight loss.

A healthy American woman of medium build and a height of 5’ 4” would weigh about 125 lbs. If she is doing a little or no exercise, she needs 1500 calories per day to maintain that weight. If she were to follow some dietary restriction and reduce her calorie intake by 500 calories per day, she will lose weight at the rate of about 1 lb per week.

If the woman in our example above were to start exercising for 3 days per week, she will be burning off about 200 calories per day more and to maintain the weight i.e. to control the weight in spite of starting on the exercise regimen she needs to eat 200 calories more per day.

So as you see from the above, it is not difficult to choose your lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight gain or healthy weight loss. You choose the weight you want to scale at; that tells you how long you need to adjust your lifestyle to reach the target at the safe rate of 1-2 lbs. per week (of course, keeping in mind general health considerations). Next determine what is your present calorie intake (there are so many websites that can help you find your actual intake if you feed in the details of your diet). Knowing that one pound of body weight is equivalent to about 3500 calories, you can decide how much change you need to make in your calorie intake. Choose any of the safe natural diet plans to implement the changes in diet required. Just remember less fat, less calories, lose weight; more fat, more calories, gain weight!

If you are at a healthy comfortable weight you can easily maintain the same weight even in face of changes in your activity levels, etc. by keeping in mind underlying concept. If you are increasing your activities (including exercise you may be doing) increase your calorie intake correspondingly or vice versa. Remember the effects of calorie intake or burn out are on a cumulative basis; for effective weight control you don’t have to strictly maintain a daily balance sheet!







Top Five Diets Explained

Top Five Diets Explained

There are many diet plans proposed and/or promoted by different people. There is the 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene's Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Detox Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on! We shall try to explain the top five diets that are very much in news.

Cabbage soup diet This diet caught the fancy of many when it was proposed due to its utter simplicity. Proponents of Cabbage soup diet claim that by consuming low-calorie cabbage soup for a period of seven days you can lose 10 lbs of weight. It is only a short term program for weight loss. In the opinion of nutritional experts it is not possible for body to lose 10 lbs of fat in a week; what you will lose by following this plan is body water, and it will be highly detrimental to health. This diet is considered a fad diet. However, there are many who believe in it and there are many variants of this plan still in circulation.

Fat Smash Diet The Fat Smash Diet of Dr. Smith is an approach to weight loss not as a quick fix solution but as a lifestyle approach. It gained prominence because of the Celebrity Fit Club TV program on which people could see it being put in practice. It focuses on healthful diet, filling foods, and lot of exercise as a necessary accompaniment. This plan focuses on low calorie content of the diet which is easy to follow. This plan does not make tempting claims of fast weight loss; it can be followed whether you are looking for a small or a heavy weight loss. This is a 4 phase plan; first three phases extending to about 8 weeks and the fourth phase being a lifetime phase. This plan lays as much stress on regular exercises as on proper diet control.

Atkins Diet Dr. Atkins diet is based on the premise that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, that the fats from hydrogenated oils and not the saturated fats are a problem. Atkins diet plans were based on very low carbohydrates. Medical opinion however has been vehemently critical of this approach condemning it as “the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time." Atkins diet now is looked at more as a fad diet.

South Beach Diet
South Beach diet plan was initially evolved by Dr. Agatston for his heart patients and its launch for weight loss was only as a spin-off. This plan emphasizes the consumption of "good carbohydrates" and "good fats". "Good carbohydrates" are high in fiber and they are digested and absorbed slowly. "Good fats" are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids. Saturated and trans fats are bad fats. This diet has generally been perceived as a successful weight loss diet.

DASH Diet This diet is primarily proposed for patients suffering from high blood pressure. It consists in following a diet which is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and is rich in low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The plan is rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber. Since it uses the same concepts in choice of diet as are used in case of weight loss diets, it is successful for weight loss also. This diet is supported by many health organisations such as NHLBI, etc.





The Suddenly Slim Diet

The Suddenly Slim Diet

Most people think of diet pills and starvation diets as dependable ways of fast weight loss. However, these methods are not advisable; they cause many harmful side effects. You need to lose weight safely, effectively and with no side effects. The Suddenly Slim diet plan offers a fast weight loss. It is a natural cure for weight loss. It uses herbal products as meal replacement shakes, supplements and diet pills which suppress appetite, increase energy level and metabolism rate and also detoxify the body. This results in burning of excess calories and loss of weight. One of the techniques used in this plan is called calorie shifting. You eat in a constantly changing routine so that the body cannot adjust to a routine; this way the body metabolism is increased and results in increased fat burning and eventually reduction in weight. For ten days the dieter takes diet pills and drinks meal replacement shakes. The shakes reduce hunger but provide the body necessary important nutrients. To promote health and weight loss, the diet pills and supplements contain soy protein, caffeine, green tea, etc. There are certain conditions under which this plan is not advisable. This plan will not suit diabetics and those with high blood pressure; a fairly large amount of fructose in the meal replacement shakes may be unhealthy for diabetics and the caffeine may have bad effect on high blood pressure patients. It is advisable for the dieter to seek medical practitioner’s advice before embarking on this diet plan. Of course, while on Suddenly Slim Diet, keep off the junk food and untimely snacks also. And exercises are essential even when on the suddenly slim diet. Especially light cardio exercises for about 30 minutes a day for at least three times a week can help you keep up the metabolism and help your weight loss routines. And drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water; apart from helping the body functions water helps you keep away from food cravings by suppressing appetite. Many dieters who have used this diet plan have experienced that they lost weight in the plan period but when the plan ended they regained the weight. To achieve a lasting weight loss it does require commitment to healthy eating habits and regular exercising which takes you to natural weight loss. It is difficult to achieve a lasting effect of weight loss in a short period of ten days. That is why many consider the suddenly slim diet plan as a fad.





Friday, 1 August 2008

Gluten and what is wrong with it - Gluten free Diet

Gluten And What Is Wrong With It


Protein part of grains such as wheat, barley, rye, etc. is called the Gluten.

Some people suffer from injuries to the lining of the small intestine if it comes in contact with gluten. This is called celiac disease. It is also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy or non-tropical sprue. It can result in weight loss, gas, diarrhea; it may cause bloating or abdominal cramps. The affected person may suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The lining of the small intestine can heal if gluten is totally eliminated from the diet of these patients.

In severe cases of celiac disease if not treated in time the intestinal villi are damaged and complications such as malabsorption of fat, magnesium, calcium, iron, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and vitamin B12 may occur. In such a case, the patient may require supplemental vitamins and minerals for several months (or years) until intestinal villi regenerate.

Some people suffer from a skin disorder called dermatitis herpetiform due to gluten intolerance.

Can You Remove Gluten From Food?

It is not easy to eliminate gluten from a person’s diet since virtually all food products use grains in their preparation. Since we cannot tell what is in by the name of an ingredient, we may easily consume gluten without being aware of it. It is difficult to prescribe Gluten Free Diet.

Gluten Free Diet

By staying on strict gluten free diet the condition of a celiac disease patient can improve dramatically. The patient’s diet should be periodically reviewed with a dietician because it is necessary to maintain gluten-free diet throughout life. Gluten-free cereals tend to be lower in B vitamins and fiber. Care must be taken to ensure adequate intakes of these nutrients. It makes Gluten Free Dieting very difficult.

The person responsible for a CD (celiac disease ) patient\'s diet must understand gluten-free diet well. The CD patient’s diet must not contains the following grains: rye, wheat, and barley in any form. The following items can be eaten: corn, rice, soybeans, potato, tapioca,
Gluten is present in Malt vinegar but not in Distilled white vinegar

Many food ingredients use grain in their processing .Gluten presence is suspect if the food labels include following terms:
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), excepting when made from corn or soy
• Vegetable Protein unless made from soy or corn

You may use the following:
• Flour or Cereal products made from corn flour, pure rice flour, soy flour or potato flour
• Soy Sauce or Soy Sauce Solids which are known not to contain wheat
• Carob bean gum, cellulose gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic,
• Malt or Malt Flavoring derived from corn
• Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch made from corn, potato, arrowroot, or maize

A food product whose label contains following words may contain gluten :
• flavoring
• emulsifier
• stabilizer
• starch
• hydrolyzed plant protein

The comments on precautions to be observed for gluten free diet mentioned above are only indicative.




Diets defined for You! your diet, your weight loss...

Diets Defined For You

Diet is the “kind and amount of food prescribed for a person for a special reason”. In the context of weight loss the term diet would cover all specific requirements in terms of constituents, their quantities and also the manner of their preparation as food for promoting loss of weight.
There are many diet plans proposed/promoted by different people.
There is a 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene's Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on!

Some are promoted by parties who as publishers, producers or suppliers of supplements or constituents of the diet and are suspect as being purely a commercial vehicle. Some others are merely fad diets that look upon the concept of weight loss or weight control as a gimmick. Many of these are neither based on proper scientific knowledge or scrutiny.

Three major constituents of a beneficial diet are carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Usually the main energy source for the body is the carbohydrates; proteins are necessary for the growth and repair of body cells, and general maintenance of the body, fats are a rich source of energy. A well balanced diet includes these in appropriate proportions; it will also include water. Water is vitally important to life - metabolic reactions and other functions depend critically on adequate water. Water constitutes almost 80% of the body weight.

There are various items in our everyday food that contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats; but not all the items that we normally consume are really beneficial. There are many that may provide the necessary calories to the body but at the same time they are harmful in some respects. A balanced diet should be made uo of “good” or healthy components and avoid or reduce the use of “bad” or unhealthy components.

A balanced diet will consist of carbohydrates from healthy sources to provide about 40 to 60 percent of the calorie requirement of the body. Vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains are good sources of carbohydrates; they provide fiber which is also for various functions of the body.
On the other hand other sources of carbohydrates such as white sugar, deserts, candy, frizzy drinks should be avoided or limited in consumption; they cause hormone imbalance, obesity, chronic inflammation issues.

Just as in case of carbohydrates, there are certain good proteins and certain bad proteins. Good proteins which provide all essential amino acids are contained in organic sources such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry; processed meats et should be avoided. About 10 to 30 percent of the body’s calorie requirement should be met from proteins.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty essential acids stimulate immunity system of the body, fight inflammations, and are beneficial to heart and brain functioning. But these are not made by our body. Cold water fish, walnuts, etc can provide these to the body. Avoifd or limit use of unhealthy fats such as from processed foods and hydrogenated oils. Your body should get about 20 t0 30 percent of its calorie requirement from good fats as explained above.

Your diet should also include adequate amount of fiber or roughage. It does not provide nutrients but has an important role in helping bowel movements and also helping to lose weight.







Dieting made Easy happy dieting for weight loss

Dieting Made Easy

Most of the people think of dieting as equivalent of starving or popping slimming pills. Weight loss can be achieved by pleasurable dieting too. Follow a few simple rules for healthy dieting and you have a wide choice of what you can eat to please your fancy. Healthy diet and adequate exercises are the sure and safe ways to lose weight.

Healthy diet will protect your body from illnesses by providing appropriate nutrients. At the same time you would be able to shed the excess fat gradually in a safe way by maintaining proper balance of the essential constituents; that’s the trick of natural weight loss.

There are many websites that will help you determine what should be your calorie intake, based on your personal details and based on your diet they can also tell you what your present intake is..

A Well-Balanced Diet should include nutrient rich carbohydrates, high-quality protein, and healthy fats.

Carbohydrates
About 40-60% of your calorie intake should come from carbohydrates. That means if you\'re on a 1500 calories a day diet, you should be striving to get about 800 calories a day from “good” carbs. Restrict or avoid white flour, desserts and ice creams. Cut out soda-pop and candy. They contribute to weight gain and add nothing to health. Use oatmeal or whole grain cereal instead. Include whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, whole grain cereals. You will be getting sufficient vitamins, amino acids and fiber too; you will feel fuller longer.

Proteins
About 20-30% of your calories i.e. about 375 calories should come from “wild” (not processed or farm raised) animal sources such as fish, meat, poultry, yogurt and eggs and from vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and seeds.

Fats
The balance calorie intake, about 325 in our example, shall come from “good” fats such as “wild” cold-water fish, flaxseed, walnuts, etc. They give Omega 3 essential fatty acid that is very essential for your overall health. Avoid or at least limit use of hydrogenated oils.

A few general comments:
Fish: Fish is low in fat, high in protein (as red meat), and provides omega 3 fatty acids which few other proteins would. Also as a general rule fish has fewer calories. Try to eat at least 2-3 servings of fish per week as replacement to meat.
Spinach: This is the cheapest source of nutrition for your body. It is rich in folic acid, minerals, and vitamins. You can prepare it in a variety of ways. Use it often in your diet.

Olive Oil: It is a “good” fat with loads of benefits to the body. This is a basic source of fat in the Mediterranean diet.

Follow these simple suggestions, and happy dieting!





Diet Plans for Weight Loss

Diet Plans for Weight Loss


Ever since obesity has been termed as an epidemic, it has attracted attention throughout the world. In America weight loss has become an industry. The air is thick with discussions and counter-discussions about various diet plans being proposed by various people.

There is a 5-Factor Diet, Atkins Diet, Bob Greene's Best Life Diet, South Beach Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, Anne Collin’s diet and now you have DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and Size Zero Diet and …. it goes on!

Proponents of each of these diet plans make claims of how much weight you will lose and how rapidly you will lose weight. Some go to the extent of claiming that you will lose up to 10-12 lbs in a week whereas medical experts warn that such claims are ridiculous and weight loss of such proportions can come about only by losing water which is detrimental to the system. Moreover there is always the danger of gaining weight just as rapidly when you stop working on the plan.

Essentially all these plans boil down to a few basics! The body weight is contributed by fat, muscles, bones and water. Excess calorie intake is responsible for increased weight and so cut down the excess intake of calories. Increase metabolism so that stored fat can be burnt off; burn off the fat that is stored in the body by exercises and fat burning food. But do not starve the body of the essential nutrients.

Basically diet plans fall into three broad categories: the “fad diets”, those that are based on specially processed food and those that can be called as “natural diet” plans.

There is no clear definition of “fad diet”; it is very subjective. Fad diet is popularly believed to be a poor weight loss diet. A fad diet generally becomes very popular very quickly and falls out of favor just as quickly. Fad diets quite often claim very quick weight loss. Their claims for efficacy are generally not confirmed by any legitimate scientific studies. Often promoted by parties that publish books about the diet or those that sell some supplements or ingredients that are part of the fad diet, a fad diet may not achieve anything at all or at times may have an adverse effect on health.

The natural diet plan is based on use of food constituents that are normally in your diet; it recommends some of the constituents as being helpful and some others as being harmful from the point of view of weight loss. For example, it may recommend certain fish such as Sardines, herrings, etc as providing beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids or may recommend use of lean meat but not others such as pork; it may recommend low-fat skimmed milk but not the normal fresh milk. Natural diet is based on very clearly understood and recognized scientific knowledge.

The third category of diet plans mentioned above are based on use of specially processed food ingredients or supplements; this category is so highly commercialized that even if it has scientific basis at times lies on the boundary of fad diet plans.