Showing posts with label loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loss. Show all posts
Reading Nutrition Labels to Assist Weight Loss
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
(Article first published as Reading Nutrition Labels Assists Weight Loss, Improves Health on Technorati.)
The information you need to avoid foods which will encourage weight gain or promote poor health is required reading on every nutrition label. The problem is many people are unable to decode the gibberish and misleading terms used to disguise the worst food ingredients. It seems as though there should be a special encyclopedia to help the consumer avoid the most dangerous health degrading components of their favorite processed food staples.
Food manufacturers use very subtle deception to make you think their food is lower in calories at a quick glance. They post unrealistic serving sizes to make the calories appear less, with the knowledge that most people will eat much more than the paltry serving size listed.
Many people with an interest in their health are avoiding added sugar and high fructose corn syrup when they read nutritional labels, understanding that these additives cause metabolic imbalance and lead to weight gain. Manufacturers know this and now want to be able to call high fructose corn syrup simply corn sugar on nutritional labels. This is yet another example of the deceitful marketing tactics which are permitted to continue, making it difficult to avoid dangerous chemicals in our food supply.
Finding the Proper Tools to Assist Weight Loss
Of course, the best rule of thumb would be to eat food in their natural form, easily avoiding all the deadly sugar and processed carbs and chemicals hiding in most foods. Foods which will help you drop weight and promote health don’t have an ingredient list or use names which are difficult to pronounce. The reality is that foods manufactured in a food laboratory are a part of our diet, and we need to become savvy about what is in the foods we eat to preserve health and lose weight.
The results of a study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs, found that people who want to lose weight are much more likely to read nutrition labels, and note that this may have an even larger impact on weight loss than regular exercise. There is still much confusion about serving size, sugar and carbohydrate content and ingredient listing for many who try to decipher the typical nutrition label. Understanding the buzz words to watch for will help you to drop weight and naturally promote health.
Tip 1: Watch Calories per Serving
Look caully when purchasing at the store and be certain you understand that often the calories listed in bold are most likely half of what you will end up eating. Once you realize how quickly most processed foods add on the calories, you’ll want to substitute fruit, vegetables, or a reduced calorie option to hit your daily target.
Tip 2: Trans Fat, Saturated Fat and Cholesterol
The fat category creates much confusion for many consumers. We have been so conditioned by pharmaceutical ads to avoid cholesterol that we end up choosing high carb, low fat foods which ruin health. Saturated fats and cholesterol from foods are not the problem, and do not contribute to poor health or excess weight as long as they are eaten uncooked and accounted for as part of your daily caloric goal. Trans fats should be avoided entirely, and be sure to watch for hydrogenated fats on the label. There is no safe level of these deadly fats which increase your risk of heart disease by 25%.
Tip 3: Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup and Corn Sugar
Reading nutritional labels is becoming an important tool used my many weight and health conscious consumers. Look at every label before you purchase, with a watchful eye for serving size, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup and learn the variety of names these ingredients lurk behind. By eliminating poor food choices, you’ll be able to reach your weight loss target quicker and avoid the health pitfalls of eating a diet high in artificial chemicals.
Avandia Linked to Bone Loss in Mice
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and appearing in this months online issue of Nature Medicine, has shed light on why women in one study who took Avandia (rosiglitazone) had decreased bone density. (See our post from earlier this year: Questions Surrounding Avandia and its Effect on Bone.)Bone is not the static organ many people think. Its constantly being ormed. Cells called osteoclasts break down bone while cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone.
These researchers found that mice given the PPAR-gamma agonist Avandia (Avandia is a thiazolidinedione, a class of insulin-sensitizing drugs under which Actos also falls) had increased activity of their osteoclasts, leading researchers to speculate:
"These findings have potential clinical implications, as they suggest that long-term rosiglitazone usage in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance may cause osteoporosis, owing to a combination of decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption."If more studies support this link, it may necessitate screening patients for osteoporosis before starting or continuing them on these drugs.
Nature Medicine abstract:
PPAR-gamma Regulates osteoclastogenesis in Mice
News summaries:
Diabetes Drug Link To Weak Bones
Diabetes Drug May Increase Bone Thinning
Motivation Key to Weight Loss Success
Monday, May 19, 2014
(Article first published as Motivation Speeds Weight Loss Results, Keeps Weight Off on Technorati.)
Recent research released from The Journal of Medical Internet Research indicates that people who have lost weight were more than twice as likely to keep the weight off if they kept track of their progress using an online recording system.
This is consistent with studies demonstrating that people lose weight more consistently and faster when they keep a dairy to record all foods eaten each day. Aside from diet and exercise, there are several important steps to help motivate your mind and hit your ideal weight target.
Step 1: The Power of Motivation to Lose Weight
People are much more likely to achieve and maintain their weight loss goal when they’re motivated by others. Losing weight significantly reduces the risk of sudden death from a heart attack, diabetes, stroke, dementia and many cancers, yet many people never attain or maintain their weight goal. The motivation provided by a friend or family member is the missing key to weight loss success for many.
Before beginning your weight loss journey, find somebody who will be able to encourage you when you hit the inevitable low point or plateau in your quest. The encouragement they’ll provide is invaluable, providing the strength and psychological boost to continue toward success. Interestingly, researchers have found that people who are financially incentivized to lose weight achieve a 70% success rate, making money a powerful source of motivation.
Step 2: Eat It, Track It and Don’t Cheat
Since many tracking programs break down fat, carb and protein ratios, you’ll find that highly ined carbs are blocking your road to success, as they cause wild blood sugar surges which tip your metabolism toward fat storage. Be honest with yourself by measuring and weighing foods, and enter them to your log either before or immediately after eating.
Step 3: Set a Food Clock
While proper diet and sufficient exercise are an essential part of a successful weight loss plan, it’s also important to incorporate the resources of mind and motivation. Solicit the help of someone who can motivate you, providing encouragement when you stray off track, and use a menu diary and food clock. Get your mind in the game and you’ll find the added support you need to hit your ultimate weight loss goal, and keep it off for life.
Green Tea Boosts Weight Loss and Improves Cardiovascular Health
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Green tea (and its less ined cousin, white tea) has been a part of the ancient Chinese tradition for countless generations, in large part due to its rich endowment of bioactive catechins. Many studies over the past decade have shown that green tea is a powerful tool to improve metabolism in a way that is supportive of weight loss.
Scientists publishing in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistrydemonstrate that it activates genes associated with fat burning while also helping to reduce absorption of fat from the digestive tract. Further evidence on the gene-altering activity of green tea is reported in the International Journal of Cardiology, as polyphenols from the drink lower free radical damage to help maintain telomere length in heart cells. Drinking several cups of green tea each day may hold the key to effective weight management and cardiac health.
Green Tea Supplementation Assists Weight Loss by Reducing Abdominal Fat Stores
Researchers from the Departments of Chemical Biology and Pharmacology and Toxicology at Rutgers University in New Jersey examined the effect of green tea supplementation on obese mice, known to exhibit similar metabolic characteristics to humans. The animals were broken into two groups and both were fed a traditional high fat/Western style diet. One group received water supplemented with the green tea bioactive catechin EGCG, while the second group acted as a non-supplemented control.
The study determined that EGCG supplementation significantly reduced body weight gain associated with increased fecal lipids and decreased blood glucose levels compared to those of the control group. Scientists further found that fatty liver incidence, associated liver damage and liver triglyceride levels were also decreased by the EGCG treatment. Treated animals also experienced improved insulin response as well as lowered C-reactive protein (CRP) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) levels, both strong indicators of systemic inflammation and immune response.
EGCG is a Powerful Antioxidant Shown to Increase Heart Muscle Lifespan
The study authors concluded“Our results demonstrate that the high fat/Western diet produces more severe symptoms of metabolic syndrome and that the EGCG treatment can alleviate these symptoms and body fat accumulation. The beneficial effects of EGCG are associated with decreased lipid absorption and reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines.” Green tea helps our cellular engines (mitochondria) to better metabolize calories more efficiently, providing a significant weight management tool.
Additionally, supporting research documents the effect of green tea catechins on extending the lifespan of heart muscle cells. Scientists found that EGCG supplementation exerted a potent antioxidant effect that lowered free radical damage to preserve telomere length and reduce heart cell death. Nutrition experts recommend two to four cups of fresh brewed green tea daily or an organically compounded and standardized EGCG supplement (300 to 500 mg daily) to assist weight management goals and improve cardiovascular health.
Changing Diet and Behavior to Drive Weight Loss
Sunday, May 11, 2014
(Article first published as Changing Diet and Behavior to Fuel Weight Loss on Technorati.)
Friends and Family Influence Our Weight
The results of a study released by the University of Michigan examined the effect of peer pressure and behavior modification on female college freshman roommates. They found that roommates with a partner who weighed more than average were much less likely to gain weight over the course of their first year. On average, dorm mates with a heavier counterpart gained only one-half pound during the year while the typical gain was two and a half pounds for those with slimmer roommates.
Understanding the Social Impact on Weight Loss
Researchers suggest that the heavier roommate was much more likely to be on a reduced calorie diet or exercise routine and these positive weight reduction behaviors were adopted by the slimmer partner. Each roommate became more aware of the importance of diet and nutrition to prevent the dreaded ‘freshman 15’ and altered their lifestyle habits toward weight maintenance and reduction. There are a number of important behaviors you can adopt to assist your weight loss goal.
Set a Goal You Can Live With
The top reason people fail to achieve their target weight goal is they set an unrealistic number to reach. It’s much more important to focus on the lifestyle changes you need to make to drop weight rather than reaching for a number which is out of reach. Set an intermediate weight goal which may be mid way between your current weight and ultimate target. Successful weight loss is accomplished in steps as you allow your body time to metabolically adjust to each new weight plateau.
Reward Your Success
Get Help From Your Peers
Behavior which encourages healthy weight loss is socially contagious. We are subconsciously aware of the beneficial and negative habits of our friends, family members and peers. When our immediate circle of friends engages in activities which promote weight gain, we’re much more likely to follow suit and the pounds suddenly appear. Become a team leader and modify your diet and lifestyle habits toward healthy weight loss and others around you will follow.
Our behavior is constantly changing based on the influence of people around us along with environmental factors. Find friends with a common weight loss goal to provide yourself the opportunity to develop a healthy weight loss lifestyle. Take the initiative to lead your friends, family and peers toward a life which promotes sustainable weight loss.
Green Coffee Beans Weight Loss
Saturday, May 10, 2014
A new review article evaluates if clinical data support the use of green coffee for weight loss. A literature search was conducted that yielded 5 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis. Studies were evaluated for quality in accordance to clinical practice and US Food and Drug Administration guidelines.
The amount of weight loss ranged from approximately 1 to 8 kg, with the meta-analysis finding a statistically significant difference in body weight, with a mean difference of −2.47 kg between green coffee and placebo (95% confidence interval = −4.23 to −0.72).
The duration of trials varied between 4 and 12 weeks, and the dose of chlorogenic acid varied from 81 to 400 mg.
Bittmans Vegan Until Six Plan Results In Weight Loss Lower Blood Sugar Lower Cholesterol
Laurel Miller, via Salon.com, reviewed Mark Bittmans new cookbook, "Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating With More Than 75 Recipes." (Bittman writes a food column for the New York Times and blogs for the NYTs at Bitten.)How To Live What Michael Pollan Preaches, Salon.com, January 2009
Here are some excerpts from her article:
"[Bittmans book is] an unusual blend of manifesto, self-help manual and cookbook designed to convince people that they can drastically improve their diets with relatively little discomfort."Bittmans specific tactics ...
Bittmans formula: "Eat less of certain foods, specifically animal products, ined carbs, and junk food; and more of others, specifically plants, in close to their natural state."
"At 57, [Bittman had] gained 50 pounds over his college weight and had developed high cholesterol, high blood sugar (especially scary for someone with a family history of diabetes) and sleep apnea, a condition caused by his excess weight."
"With a colleague, Kerri Conan, Bittman devised a plan they called "vegan until six." They ate almost no animal products at all until dinnertime, no simple carbohydrates and no junk food. (Simple carbs are sugars, white flours and other processed grains like white rice.) At dinner, they ate as they had before, although in time Bittman found that even his evening meals came to include more "vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains and less meat, sugar, junk food, and overined carbohydrates."
"It was easy, and in a matter of months hed lost 35 pounds, lowered his cholesterol and blood sugar, and had no trouble sleeping through the night. Most important, he continues to eat this way and is content to do so for the rest of his life."
Natural Weight Loss Supplements
Friday, May 9, 2014
(Article First Published as Best Supplements for Natural Weight Loss on Technorati.)
Americans continue to lose the weight loss battle which is placing an ever increasing burden on personal health and our failing health care system. Many people have a strong desire to lose weight but are unable to make the dietary changes which will positively impact their well being and lifespan.
Medical researchers agree that the best way to achieve permanent weight loss is through calorie restriction and physical activity. Many people will turn to diet pills which work by artificially stimulating the body’s metabolism in an effort to trim weight.
Quick weight loss pills are not only dangerous, as they can lead to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, but ultimately they fail to deliver the promised weight loss goal. In addition to diet and exercise, there are two types of natural supplements which can compliment your healthy lifestyle and deliver weight loss results: carb blockers and metabolism boosters.
Refined carbohydrates rapidly turn to glucose immediately after being consumed. This can signal the beginning of metabolic dysfunction which leads to diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers through a process known as insulin resistance. Eventually, excess sugar from carbohydrates leads to weight gain as the body’s cells are unable to take up all the glucose from the blood, and the excess remains as sugar in circulation and eventually is converted to triglycerides and on to storage as fat.
Carbohydrate inhibitors work by blocking enzymes which are necessary to break down sugars during digestion. The sugar molecules remain intact and are less likely to remain in the blood and convert to fat. The two most common natural supplements are l-arabinose and chromium. Both have demonstrated the ability to reduce blood sugar levels by blocking sugar enzyme activity and by pushing glucose out of the blood and into the cells for conversion to energy. These supplements have been shown to be safe and effective and are also credited with controlling insulin spikes and naturally reducing blood pressure.
Another type of natural supplement assists in weight loss due to its effect on blocking the breakdown of starches in the stomach. Since starch is not fully broken down during digestion, calories are not completely extracted from those foods and are less likely to lead to weight gain. White bean extract and irvingia are the best known starch blockers which have powerful anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects.
Boost Metabolism for Day-Long Fat Burn Effect
Increased metabolism, where the body uses additional calories for energy while at rest and during physical activity is an important mechanism for encouraging weight loss and preventing weight gain. Green Tea Extract is the best known and most powerful supplement to kick-start a sluggish metabolism.
Research indicates that green tea can increase calories burned at rest by 4%. At first this may not seem like a significant amount, but studies confirm that this translates into a 40% increase in thermogenesis, which is a measure of the body’s own energy requirements. Further, green tea extract has been found to boost metabolism by increasing the fat burning capacity of the cells and doesn’t raise blood pressure.
Many people turn to dangerous fad diets and pills in an effort to lose weight. These drastic measures not only lead to increased risks from medical complications, but rarely lead to permanent weight loss. By combining proper diet, exercise and stress management with targeted carb blocker and metabolism boosting supplements, the reality of healthy weight loss is now within the reach of many who need to drop pounds without potential side effects.
Americans continue to lose the weight loss battle which is placing an ever increasing burden on personal health and our failing health care system. Many people have a strong desire to lose weight but are unable to make the dietary changes which will positively impact their well being and lifespan.
Medical researchers agree that the best way to achieve permanent weight loss is through calorie restriction and physical activity. Many people will turn to diet pills which work by artificially stimulating the body’s metabolism in an effort to trim weight.
Quick weight loss pills are not only dangerous, as they can lead to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, but ultimately they fail to deliver the promised weight loss goal. In addition to diet and exercise, there are two types of natural supplements which can compliment your healthy lifestyle and deliver weight loss results: carb blockers and metabolism boosters.
Carb Blockers Aid Weight Loss
Carbohydrate inhibitors work by blocking enzymes which are necessary to break down sugars during digestion. The sugar molecules remain intact and are less likely to remain in the blood and convert to fat. The two most common natural supplements are l-arabinose and chromium. Both have demonstrated the ability to reduce blood sugar levels by blocking sugar enzyme activity and by pushing glucose out of the blood and into the cells for conversion to energy. These supplements have been shown to be safe and effective and are also credited with controlling insulin spikes and naturally reducing blood pressure.
Another type of natural supplement assists in weight loss due to its effect on blocking the breakdown of starches in the stomach. Since starch is not fully broken down during digestion, calories are not completely extracted from those foods and are less likely to lead to weight gain. White bean extract and irvingia are the best known starch blockers which have powerful anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects.
Boost Metabolism for Day-Long Fat Burn Effect
Research indicates that green tea can increase calories burned at rest by 4%. At first this may not seem like a significant amount, but studies confirm that this translates into a 40% increase in thermogenesis, which is a measure of the body’s own energy requirements. Further, green tea extract has been found to boost metabolism by increasing the fat burning capacity of the cells and doesn’t raise blood pressure.
Many people turn to dangerous fad diets and pills in an effort to lose weight. These drastic measures not only lead to increased risks from medical complications, but rarely lead to permanent weight loss. By combining proper diet, exercise and stress management with targeted carb blocker and metabolism boosting supplements, the reality of healthy weight loss is now within the reach of many who need to drop pounds without potential side effects.
Quick Weight Loss Results in More Pounds Lost
(Article first published as Engage the Mind for Quick Weight Loss Results on Technorati.)
The study cautioned against resorting to crash diets, pills, drugs or weight loss surgery, but noted that weight which was lost at a faster pace resulted in more pounds lost overall. Specifically, researchers found that participants who lost 1.5 pounds per week reached a final weight 15% lower than those who lost at a pace of a half pound each week.
The study leaders believe the results are due to the psychological factor, increasing motivation from losing weight at a faster rate. Further monitoring will be required to determine if the weight loss is sustainable. Any weight loss plan which provides positive results is significant, as the burgeoning obesity epidemic threatens the quality and length of life for millions.
This report underscores the importance of having the right mindset before restructuring a new dietary plan. The following guidelines provide the critical first steps to begin a quick weight loss program which is safe, healthy and delivers results.
Guideline 1: Get Your Mind in the Game
Guideline 2: Set a Realistic Goal
Many people attempting to lose weight will set a target which is virtually impossible to attain. It’s not necessary to be at the same weight as when you were 20. Your body is different, and has evolved to store fat and build muscle differently as you age. For most people, a reasonable weight is 10 to 15% higher than your lowest weight in early adulthood. Following a sensible reduced calorie diet and regular exercise schedule, combined with the correct target weight, will enable you to meet your goal without added stress.
Guideline 3: Plan Meals in Advance
Healthy weight loss requires three key components to be successful. Reduced calories from nutritious sources and physical activity fuel the process and burn fat, yet neither are sustainable without engaging the mind. Only begin a weight loss program when you are fully committed and prepared to maintain your new lifestyle for the long term. When your mind is conditioned to improve and regain your health, weight loss will proceed at a naturally accelerated pace.
Exercise Extends Life Assists Weight Loss
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
(Article first published as Exercise Assists Weight Loss Goals, Increases Life Span on Technorati.)
The health of Americans has been slowly declining for the past half century, due in part to the dramatic rise in processed junk foods which comprise the bulk of our diet, and a general lack of physical activity. Many children and young adults will find they are part of the first generation to live shorter lives when compared to their parents.
Medical researchers have made great strides over the last 10 years discovering how detrimental a poor diet and lack of exercise can be to our health, and regularly promote a well balanced, reduced calorie diet and regular physical activity.
This advice is underscored by the results of a large study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology which showed that moderate physical activity reduces all causes of death by as much as 24%, and assists in promoting healthy weight loss goals.
Moderate Exercise 5 Days a Week
The results of this study are important because they demonstrate that people can begin exercise at any age and begin to realize the life-extension benefits. Weight loss is another critical consideration, as regular exercise improves blood sugar and insulin response which leads to the release of body fat.
This study showed that exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week provides almost the same benefit as those who exercised an hour each day, every day of the week. The bottom line is to get moving, regardless of your age. Our muscles have evolved to be active, and when we’re sedentary, the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes increase by as much as 50%. U.S. News and World Report details the 5 essential benefits of exercise to your health.
1. Reverses the Effects of Stress
Medical researchers have made great strides over the last 10 years discovering how detrimental a poor diet and lack of exercise can be to our health, and regularly promote a well balanced, reduced calorie diet and regular physical activity.
This advice is underscored by the results of a large study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology which showed that moderate physical activity reduces all causes of death by as much as 24%, and assists in promoting healthy weight loss goals.
Moderate Exercise 5 Days a Week
This study showed that exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week provides almost the same benefit as those who exercised an hour each day, every day of the week. The bottom line is to get moving, regardless of your age. Our muscles have evolved to be active, and when we’re sedentary, the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes increase by as much as 50%. U.S. News and World Report details the 5 essential benefits of exercise to your health.
1. Reverses the Effects of Stress
2. Lifts Depression
Burning 350 calories by exercising 3 days a week has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of depression as well as an antidepressant. Exercise can stimulate the growth of neurons in the brain, and restores connections between brain cells. Antidepressants are dangerous drugs with a host of potential side effects. Exercise will help you to feel better about yourself which helps you stick with your healthy eating plan.
3. Exercise Improves Learning
Physical activity increases the release of brain chemicals called growth factors which improves the communication between cells. Not only does regular exercise improve muscle tone, it also challenges the brain, possibly helping to prevent devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
4. Improves Self-Esteem and Body Image
Exercise naturally tones and conditions your muscles and improves the processing of sugar for use as energy instead of fat storage. Nothing will power you toward your weight loss goal better than looking in the mirror at your newly sculpted body.
5. Leaves You with a Natural High
People who exercise regularly, especially with short-burst interval training, experience a euphoric feeling which only comes from physical activity. Run, bike, jog, walk or swim intensely for 30 to 40 seconds, then slow down for 5 minutes and repeat. This has been shown to leave you feeling great, and is the optimal form of exercise to deliver weight loss results.
Regular physical activity is a necessary compliment to a healthy, carbohydrate restricted diet. Exercise stimulates the production of chemical messengers which help to lift mood and fight depression, and provides critical support to metabolic functions. Most importantly, just a little exercise each day will reduce risk of disease, lengthen your life and lead to natural, permanent weight loss.
Light During Sleep Hinders Weight Loss Efforts
Monday, May 5, 2014
(Article first published as Light Exposure While Sleeping May Effect Body Weight on Technorati.)
Light at Night Affects Hormonal Balance
We are creatures of evolution, and rely on the function of hormones in our body to survive. Metabolism is controlled by a delicate balance that is influenced by environmental cues and gives us the ability to adapt to different stimuli. Melatonin is the hormone that our body uses to signal when we’re tired and when it’s time to wake up. Any light when we’re trying to sleep will disrupt the release of melatonin and affect our sleep. This in turn influences the way fat is metabolized overnight and can halt natural weight management.
Study Demonstrates Negative Effects of Light During Sleep
Meal Timing Critical to Fat Metabolism
Use Darkness to Your Weight Loss Advantage
The results of this study as well as many others confirm that natural weight loss and maintenance is much more than simply reducing calories and exercising more. It’s important to control the environment around you as this influences the hormonal balance that improves fat metabolism. Be certain that your room is totally dark when sleeping. Cover any light sources such as alarm clocks, cell phones or cable boxes. Working with your body’s natural circadian rhythms and eating your largest meal earlier in the day will set the stage to achieve your weight loss objective.
Top Weight Loss Myths
Sunday, May 4, 2014
(Article first published as Top Fitness Myths That Prevent Weight Loss on Technorati.)
25% of Americans Are Now Obese
The fact that one quarter of all Americans are now obese is a staggering number, with dire health consequences for the next decade and beyond. Information published in The New York Times indicates that nearly 2.5 million more people fell into the obese category in the past two years, making this the largest and quickest increase on record.
Lack of Physical Activity to Blame
Myth 1: Running is Better Than Walking
The fact is that a runner and a walker covering the same distance will burn about the same number of calories. The important thing to keep in mind is that you get out and move your body. Weight reduction is not a race, and losing weight at a slow pace (no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week) is the best way to allow your body to easily adjust, preventing your metabolism from stalling in an attempt to preserve body mass.
Myth 2: Exercising More Leads to Eating More
Research shows that exercise has no effect on a person’s hunger. Further, exercise has been shown to suppress appetite both during and after a workout. The problem is that many people let their mind take control, compelling them to eat more because they believe they need the extra calories to compensate for the activity. Use mind over matter to avoid taking in too many calories after a workout.
Myth 3: All Calories Are Created Equal
Carbohydrates, and especially ined carbs from sugary junk foods are broken down immediately, used for energy and the balance is converted to fat and stored on the hips and abdomen. Always include healthy protein from nuts, seeds, whey or lean meats after your workout to assist muscle building and avoid excess fat storage.
There appears to be no end in sight to our obesity epidemic, as more Americans join the ranks and threaten their health and longevity. Physical fitness is an essential tool which can assist weight loss and reduce the risk of many diseases. Fitness myths abound which will derail your from the true benefits of exercise, and can help you to reach your weight goal quickly and efficiently.
Eliminate Junk Food to Assist Weight Loss
Saturday, May 3, 2014
(Article first published as Cut Junk Food Diet to Fuel Weight Loss Efforts on Technorati.)
Our diet has changed significantly over the past half century as the main staples of our diet have quickly shifted from health promoting vegetables and foods eaten in their natural form toward a wide variety of processed foods impregnated with chemicals and created in a food laboratory. Most people eat a diet which consists almost exclusively of ined foods which are nutritionally deficient and packed with sugar, fructose and deadly trans fats which are known to contribute to excess weight.
Junk food has become so prevalent in our diet that the baby carrot industry has begun to package and market their product as junk food in an attempt to increase market share. The industry is spending 25 million dollars to transform their image to a market which thrives on junk food and buys snacks and entire meals from a vending machine.
Vegetables are packed with vital nutrients which are known to influence our cells on a genetic level to reduce the risk from many diseases while promoting natural weight loss. Junk food has the opposite effect as the synthetic chemicals which have been used to manufacture these foods are released into the body creating a toxic overload every time you eat.
Packaging Carrots as Junk Food
The industry is packaging baby carrots with artificial preservatives and other unnatural chemical enhancements so they can be sold in school vending machines. While nutritional information is not yet available for prepackaged carrots, calories and nutritional content will likely be similar to eating a candy bar with the same devastating effect on health and body weight.
Healthy Vegetable Consumption Flat the Past Decade
It’s no secret that a diet high in fresh vegetables and leafy greens promotes good health and assists in weight loss. The anemic and outdated USDA food pyramid recommends that we eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and many nutrition and weight loss experts say those numbers should be doubled. In addition to providing a wide variety of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, vegetables fill you up quickly with plenty of fiber and minimal calories.
According to the results of a comprehensive nationwide behavioral study issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vegetable and fruit consumption over the past decade, only 26% of adults ate vegetables three or more times per day. The number had not changed over the past ten years, indicating the marketing efforts of the CDC were ineffective compared to the billions spent by fast food and processed junk food companies to promote their unhealthy fare.
Including Vegetables and Natural Foods to Promote Weight Loss
Chemicals in processed foods are broken down by the body and must be stored in our body fat to prevent the risk of immediate disease. Over the course of many years these chemicals accumulate to dangerous levels and can initiate an array of potentially deadly conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Chemical overload from excessive junk food consumption also provokes metabolic dysfunction leading to uncontrollable blood sugar levels, insulin resistance and weight gain.
Packaged food represents a significant health hazard to the millions of unsuspecting consumers who eat these foods several times each day. They are a significant factor in the explosion of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder and obesity. Plan your menu to include at least ten servings of fresh vegetables and healthy greens daily, while minimizing or eliminating processed foods, sugar and ined carbs from your diet. Natural weight loss, optimal health and longevity will be your reward.
Talk about a healthy weight loss diet to help your child
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Talk about a healthy weight loss diet to help your child - Childs behavior is strongly influenced indirectly by parents and neighborhood. A study showed that the family had never discussed the weight loss, diet, or healthy lifestyles often have children who are not sensitive to their own health.
Conversely, children who often heard her parents talk about weight, health, or diet, diet easier start and maintain their own body weight, as reported by Reuters. These results were found after researchers surveyed 2,800 adolescents and their parents.
"It is important to conduct discussions or talks with child-focused health or healthy foods to maintain a healthy body and bones. Do not see it by focusing on body size or physical appearance," said Jeriga Berge, lead researcher from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis .
Previous research has shown that talking about weight or weight problems ridiculed by parents will hurt children and adolescents. But it depends on how well the parents expressed their intent in children.
Researchers stressed that parents should focus on weight loss related to health. Losing weight should be seen as an attempt to nourish the body, not to look slim or beautiful. It is known to be more successful to make teens start dieting and keeping their food.
Conversely, children who often heard her parents talk about weight, health, or diet, diet easier start and maintain their own body weight, as reported by Reuters. These results were found after researchers surveyed 2,800 adolescents and their parents.
"It is important to conduct discussions or talks with child-focused health or healthy foods to maintain a healthy body and bones. Do not see it by focusing on body size or physical appearance," said Jeriga Berge, lead researcher from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis .
Previous research has shown that talking about weight or weight problems ridiculed by parents will hurt children and adolescents. But it depends on how well the parents expressed their intent in children.
Researchers stressed that parents should focus on weight loss related to health. Losing weight should be seen as an attempt to nourish the body, not to look slim or beautiful. It is known to be more successful to make teens start dieting and keeping their food.
Is Diet or Exercise Best for Weight Loss
Friday, April 25, 2014
(Article first published as Your Best Weight Loss Strategy: Diet or Exercise? on Technorati.)
We’ve been conditioned over the years to believe that the best way to lose weight is to sweat it off with rigorous exercise at the gym, and be mindful of what we eat. If that were entirely correct, we wouldn’t be tipping the scales of obesity as 45 million people spend more than $19 billion annually on gym memberships, a number that’s doubled over the past 20 years. The problem lies with the fact that human metabolism is highly efficient, and any excess calories are immediately stored as fat.
Despite our best intentions, we eat far more calories than we need at any given time to fuel our muscles and cells. Exercise does burn additional calories, but for many people it pales in comparison to the quantity of food they consume. As you exercise, your body sends the signal to eat more so you’ll have enough energy reserved for the next workout. Your next meal or high carb snack will be larger than necessary to compensate, and the excess calories are efficiently stored for future use.
The best strategy to drop weight is to eat a calorie restricted diet with 25% fewer calories than you presently consume each day. For many, this type of restriction will seem severe, so you’ll need to slowly work up to that level by eliminating 100 calories each day for a week. The next week, cut out another 100 calories until you hit the 25% reduction level. Most moderately active women should eat 1200 to 1500 calories per day, and men should target 1500 to 1800 calories to see significant weight loss results.
More Exercise Leads to More Eating
Exercise is Not an Efficient Weight Loss Tool
Research generated by the Mayo Clinic and reported in Time Magazine concludes that exercise is a very inefficient way to drop excess pounds. Researchers found that intense exercise may actually cause weight gain, as test participants consumed more calories after exercise than they burned, resulting in leftover calories which the body typically stores as abdominal fat. It’s important to understand that exercise is still an essential part of human health, but should not be your primary weight loss tool.
Calorie Restricted Diet Delivers Weight Loss Results
Exercise is Still Important
Regular physical activity is still vitally important, as multiple studies confirm that those who sit for 8 hours a day are most likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, cancer and die early from any cause. Stay active, and if you have a desk job that requires you to sit for long periods, get up and move around at least once every half hour. Establish a set amount of time for exercise into your daily schedule, at least 30 minutes on most days. Walking is a great activity which keeps your heart pumping and your muscles moving, but don’t plan to eat more afterward to compensate.
People begin exercising or sign up for a gym membership as a way to burn off excess fat, and subconsciously believe this will allow them to continue eating more calories than they need. For most individuals, the calories burned through moderate exercise don’t compensate for the super sized appetites experienced after a workout. While regular physical activity and stress reduction are required for optimal health, calorie restriction is by far the most effective weight loss tool.
Drink Water to Drive Weight Loss Results
(Article first published as Top Tips Can Deliver Weight Loss Results on Technorati.)
You may be surprised to find out that successful weight loss is better achieved by controlling the balance and timing of when you eat, and less about counting calories and working out at the gym. That’s not to say that overeating and developing couch potato characteristics will promote weight loss. It’s important to eat healthy proteins and fats, limit carbohydrates and avoid between meal snacks.
Drinking water right before eating can help you avoid overeating and provide your body with essential hydration to stimulate weight loss. The results of a study published by the American Chemical Association demonstrates that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before eating allowed aging participants to lose 44% more weight than those who didn’t follow the regimen. The study authors concluded that the results were due to the stomach filling effect of water that resulted in lower calories eaten at each meal.
One of the most difficult concepts to understand is how sleep can stimulate the release of body fat. Our body remains metabolically active during the overnight hours and needs a constant supply of energy to perform a wide variety of tasks. Anything that interrupts our sleep will slow or halt this critical process and leads to weight gain and disease. The two keys are to sleep in a totally dark room and stop eating at least 3 hours before retiring for the night.
Food choices and meal timing have a major impact on our metabolism and the hormones that are in control of how fat is stored or burned for energy. You’ve made the decision to begin your weight loss journey, and that’s an important first step. The following tips will help you to work in concert with your body to naturally shed excess pounds.
Tip 1: Drink Water Before Meals
In addition, research has shown that drinking water takes the place of other high calorie alternatives such as soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. And there’s another reason that water is so important to weight loss. Our body cells are more than 70% water and this critical fluid provides the primary means of removing toxins. Less water means more toxic buildup and the body responds by creating more fat cells to store our extra calories.
Tip 2: Eat 3 Balanced Meals a Day
Many people make the mistake of restricting calories too much when trying to lose weight. While watching calories is important, restricting calories below your survival threshold will make your best efforts futile. By supplying your body with 3 protein-balanced meals each day you keep your base metabolic rate high so you continue to burn calories evenly throughout the day. Restrict sugar and ined carbs and include a healthy protein option with each meal. And no between meal snacks, as this provides a source of energy between meals that will shut off the fat burning cycle.
Tip 3: Get Enough Sleep
People with the desire to lose weight will need to incorporate an arsenal of tools that will help them to reach their goal. Including water before each meal, making the right food choices and planning to get a restful sleep are important tips that will allow you to reach your permanent weight loss goal.
Weight Loss Tips to Jump Start the New Year
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
(Article first published as Six Tips to Jump Start Your New Year Weight Loss Resolution on Technorati.)
As another year draws to a close, many people begin to think about making New Year Resolutions. As the number of overweight and obese individuals continues to skyrocket in epidemic proportions, many resolutions will evolve around the pursuit of an elusive weight loss goal. Reducing calories and exercising more are well known strategies to pursue. In addition, nutrition experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have compiled the top research-based weight loss tips designed to help you jump start your new journey to a slimmer waistline.
Research confirms that physical activity is essential to human health and is also an important catalyst in your weight loss efforts. Exercise doesn’t have to be in the form of a grueling 5 mile run or lifting heavy free weights. The key to using exercise to fuel your weight loss efforts is that you need to do something to stay moving each day.
Often in our zest to reach an imaginary weight goal, we set an unrealistic target and time frame. When it becomes clear that the goal can’t be met, our best intentions are forgotten and any lost weight returns with a few extra pounds to discourage us from trying again. Permanent weight loss must be accomplished slowly, with a plan to drop no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week. This allows our body time to adjust naturally and make the necessary metabolic changes to maintain our lower weight.
Tip 1: Keep Moving Each Day
Set 30 to 60 minutes aside each day for some type of aerobic or resistance activity. The best part is that your time can be broken down into convenient 10 or 15 minute segments and you’ll still receive the same health and weight loss benefits.
Tip 2: Keep a Detailed Food and Exercise Journal
This may be one of the most important tips that many people on a weight loss mission fail to undertake. Keep a detailed record of each bite of food and drink, including the time and amount consumed. Don’t cheat. Record every food item including between meals snacks and sneaking a bite of your favorite chocolate bar. Write down your physical activity also, including type of exercise and the duration of each segment during the day. Many people are amazed to find out the number of calories eaten outside of normal meal time.
Tip 3: Set Realistic Goals
Tip 4: Set Specific Goals
Make a plan to achieve your weight loss goal. Chart your day to include 3 well balanced meals and develop a calorie controlled menu that will allow you to hit your target. Schedule physical activity at a specific time as you would a business appointment. Avoid generalizations about diet and exercise, and be specific with regard to intent and end result.
Tip 5: Allow Yourself Room for an Occasional Slip
Everybody is human and inevitably you will make a small slip in your dietary plan. Fortunately your body is very forgiving and does not assess caloric intake for a single meal or even an entire day. Allow yourself an occasional treat when you really need it to keep yourself moving forward toward your weight loss goal.
Tip 6: Take Up Yoga
There’s more to yoga than just burning calories through physical activity. Researchers from the Hutchinson Cancer Center have “found that regular yoga practice is associated with the prevention of middle-age spread in normal-weight people and the promotion of weight loss in those who are overweight.” Yoga practice leads to mindful eating and healthy weight loss.
The New Year is approaching quickly and health conscious people will be thinking about losing weight gained during the past year. The best way to drop excess pounds is make a structured plan and set appropriate goals that will help you reach your weight target and improve your health and quality of life.
Pomegranate and Super Nutrients Assist Weight Loss
Monday, April 21, 2014
(Article first published as Pomegranate and Natural Nutrients Can Help Prevent Weight Gain on Technorati.)
As the rate of overweight and obese individuals continues to rise with no end in sight, there’s good news emerging about the power of natural nutrients such as pomegranate that act on a genetic level to halt the accumulation of abdominal fat. Many people are aware that they need to lose weight but can’t seem to make the necessary lifestyle and dietary adjustments that will help them achieve their goal. Pomegranate and other natural nutrients may provide the key as they can be used to compliment healthy diet and physical activity toward your weight loss goal.
Pomegranate is truly a super nutrient as it has been shown to clear dangerous blood fats known as triglycerides before they are converted to a form of fat which can be stored in our fat cells. This is important because lowered triglycerides have been shown to reduce the risk for heart disease and death from a heart attack.
Resveratrol has gained acclaim as a super nutrient that has been shown to function at the genetic level by influencing genes known as SIRT’s which we have evolved through a sophisticated mechanism designed to keep us alive during times of famine. Our survival genes have the opposite effect when we overeat, as they fuel the aging process and no longer effectively protect us from disease.
Pomegranate Shown to Reduce Belly Fat
Excess triglycerides form in the blood in response to a diet high in ined, processed carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats. The results of a study performed at the University of Edinburgh and reported by the Daily Mail confirms that pomegranate consumption for a period of 30 days was sufficient to lower the risk of developing fatty cells around the abdomen. Researchers note that this type of fat accumulation is the most dangerous type as it causes the release of stress hormones which fuel inflammation and promote heart disease.
Resveratrol Mimics Calorie Restriction
Resveratrol is one of the few nutrients which can directly regulate the SIRT genes and mimic calorie restriction without having to eat less. This powerful compound found in the skin of red grapes switches the genes that control the release of dangerous chemical messengers from our fat cells in response to excess weight, and naturally promotes weight loss when combined with a reduced calorie diet.
Quercetin Lowers Systemic Inflammation
The fat cells of overweight and obese individuals is metabolically active and releases a steady stream of chemical messengers known as cytokines which circulate throughout the body and lead to chronically elevated levels of inflammation. This dangerous condition makes weight loss much more difficult and also is a known risk factor for heart disease and cancer.
Quercetin is a natural agent found in many fruits and vegetables that has a demonstrated ability to lower inflammatory cytokines by acting directly on the genes that produce these damaging compounds. By damping the flames of inflammation, quercetin is able to reduce the risk of many deadly diseases and assists natural weight loss by creating an environment which encourages fat metabolism.
Nature has provided a host of natural nutrients which we can combine with healthy diet and physical activity to improve health and achieve our weight loss goals. Pomegranate is the latest addition to the list of powerful nutrients that have been shown to regulate our genes and influence our ability to burn stored fat.
Melatonin Boosts Weight Loss Goals and Lowers Heart Disease Risk
Saturday, April 19, 2014
The hormone was shown to improve blood lipid profiles, lower triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol and boost health-promoting HDL cholesterol. Found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, small quantities are shown to provide a powerful array of health benefits and promote deep sleep that is so critical to systemic repair functions throughout the body.
Proper Sleep is Essential to Melatonin Secretion and Weight Maintenance
Researchers broke test subjects into three groups where one cohort was supplemented with melatonin. They found that the melatonin supplemented group experienced a significant reduction in body weight with no difference in calories consumed as compared with the non-supplemented subjects. Additionally, they determined that melatonin helped to lower systolic blood pressure and provided a significant improvement in dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Improvements in blood lipid ratios and lowering of circulating triglycerides are critical to lowering the overall risk of heart disease.
Proper Melatonin Levels throughout Life Critical to Heart Health
The study authors concluded"administration of melatonin and intake of food containing melatonin might be a useful tool to fight obesity and the risks associated to it.” In addition to natural food sources, many health-minded individuals will want to supplement with 1 to 3 mg of melatonin each night, taken 30 minutes before retiring to promote sound sleep, avoid unnecessary weight gain and ward off the damaging effects of oxidized blood fats that promote heart disease.
Exercises for Fast Weight Loss
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Lack of physical activity and poor dietary lifestyle are having a devastating effect on our health and longevity. As the number of Americans falling in the overweight or obese range approaches 3 out of every 4 children and adults, health conscious individuals understand the importance of eating healthy and increasing exercise intensity to lose weight and live a longer life.
While limiting the type and quantity of calories consumed is essential to any weight loss program, the type and duration of exercise performed on a regular basis provides the fuel to burn fat and improve the critical bio-markers of health.
Resistance training and aerobic conditioning are the two key forms of exercise, and both should be combined as part of a routine to improve overall health. To fuel quick weight loss, the following cardio exercises are proven to deliver results.
Running and Jogging
There is no better form of exercise to burn fat than running and jogging. There’s no special equipment required and local roads provide the perfect training environment. Add in hilly terrain or increase speed to have a major impact on fat metabolism. Running can burn 600 to 1000 calories per hour, but may not be for everyone due to the risk of knee injury.
Bicycling
Bicycling is an excellent choice to drop extra pounds, and provides a low impact lower body workout. Depending on the course, biking can burn 500 to 1000 calories in an hour and it requires minimal training. Cycling is a fun form of exercise, and risk of injury can be minimized by wearing a helmet and choosing a route with minimal traffic.
Swimming
Swimming is a low impact cross-training aerobic exercise which works all major muscle groups. Working against the resistance of the water helps to build endurance which increases metabolism for many hours after the exercise is finished. Swimming for 30 minutes will burn up to 400 calories, has a low risk of injury and is just plain fun.
Step Aerobics
Walking
Fuel your weight loss regimen by combining a reduced calorie diet with an aerobic conditioning exercise program. For best results, find a family member or friend who can provide the necessary motivation you’ll need to make this a permanent lifestyle change. Exercise is the essential key to a slimmer you, and a healthier life.
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