Independent
Articles & Videos About:
1. Losing Weight Fast
2. Nutrition & Dieting
Five Step "Roadmap" for Losing Weight
By Nicky Pilkington If you happen to be among the millions of people
who are weight impaired, you may have already considered, or even tried
many alternatives for losing weight...and you may still be seeking that
one magic "remedy"...
Sadly, there are no magic remedies, diet pills, or supplements for losing
weight. It takes desire, persistence and lots of accurate information seasoned
with ample amounts of supportive and caring guidance, to succeed.
Through the trials and tribulations of many failed weight loss plans we
now know that if you try to manage your weight by making radical changes
in your diet and lifestyle, you will eventually fail...around 95% of the
time!
For a diet plan to be successful it must fit within the boundaries of normal
day-to-day habits and activities. It must allow for the consumption of familiar
foods in familiar and traditional social settings. The exclusion of "taboo"
foods or your favorite fast food restaurant is generally a set-up for eventual
dieting failure.
When you stop to think about, isn't it usually the things you are told
that you can't do or have, that you desire the most? It's a part of human
nature. We want what we can't have! Take it away from us, and surely this
is exactly what we will want and crave the most...and this includes the
foods we eat. Even the most highly regarded sources of information agree
that we tend to focus on what we can't have (see what the Bible has to say
about it; Romans 7:14-15).
So, a good plan for losing weight should not try to radically change your
eating behavior. The plan should adapt to your daily activities and eating
behavior. And of course any good plan should incorporate the benefits of
good nutrition, convenience and practicality.
The bottom line is that we are all very busy people without a lot of time
to spare. We're not about to turn our busy lifestyle upside down to follow
some restrictive plan for losing weight. Oh...maybe something like this
will work for a short period of time, but the facts don't lie. Short term
loss is long term gain (in weight that is!). Although the "crash"
weight loss diets may work for a short while, most of us will find that
before long the pounds begin to creep back on...and there is good reason
for this.
- We're not going give-up eating at fast food and sit-down restaurants
when we need a quick meal.
- We're not going to give-up eating with business associates, good friends
and family or any other special meal occasions where dieting guidelines
are difficult (or impossible) to follow.
- We're not going to completely eliminate the foods we love and crave.
- And we're most definitely not going to waste precious time preparing
special dietary meals from "scratch" every day!
It's important to know that you don't have to stop doing any of the above
to lose weight.
You can look and feel like a million bucks, take years off your appearance
and have the energy and vitality to accomplish your dreams, by following
a few simple guidelines. Here they are...
1) Take it one step at a time.
Some of the greatest accomplishments in life begin by taking one small
step at a time. When we are challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others
to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take action, great things start to
happen!
If you have important weight loss goals you are not achieving, try to spend
less time worrying about all the possible "causes" and start concentrating
on how you can make progress.
This is one of the keys to moving forward and a simple, but powerful tool
for success.
Step #2 - Assess your dietary needs and lifestyle.
Awareness is the key!
Learn about your specific dietary needs (caloric intake) and daily energy
requirements. We're talking a basic understanding here, and not having to
go into any great detail.
Step #3 - Seek advice from friends and trusted authorities.
Don't believe everything you hear! There are thousands of diet "scams"
on the market. When you find a trusted source, ask as many questions as
you can about diet and exercise. Find out what has worked for others. But
always be on-guard for "quick fix" approach...it won't work!
Step #4 - Start creating a SYSTEM of support.
About 85% of our "happiness" and well-being is determined by
the quality of our relationships with other people. Loving, caring relationships
and a network of friends, family, and colleagues lowers stress, increases
longevity and helps us to accomplish our goals in life (including losing
weight).
We are social creatures and we do our best when we have friends to cheer
us on, offer support, give advice and hold us accountable when necessary.
This makes it easy for us to succeed. So, surround yourself with people,
tools and activities that make it easier to succeed than to fail! Arrange
your living environment and social situations so that every thing around
you pulls your forward!
Step #5 - Use your resources.
Read motivational tips, general health information and any other literature
you can get your hands-on. Information is power!
Step #6 - TAKE THE FIRST STEP!
There you have it. So, get started today on "your" Road to Success!
Losing Weight by Thinking Green
By Tony Robinson Now more than ever, people are trying to lose weight
by thinking green. Green tea is one of the hottest products on the market
today. Its medicinal qualities have been known for years. But can green
tea actually enable you to shed those unwanted pounds?
Research conducted for the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states
that a green tea diet can speed up your metabolism and oxidize fat without
increasing your heart beat. This means that you can achieve a fast metabolism
with green tea without suffering heart trouble. In other words, green tea
enables you to increase your expenditure of energy without causing adverse
health effects.
If you find the taste of green tea difficult to swallow, you can obtain
green tea extract in a pill. The 500-milligram capsules should be consumed
two or three times each day in order for you to receive maximum benefit.
Of course, you might be wondering at this point how much green tea is enough.
Some medical experts recommend as many as ten cups a day. Other health specialists
say that two to three cups are sufficient. Yet other medical experts recommend
splitting the difference, calling for four to five cups of green tea daily.
Green tea reduces your "bad" cholesterol count, while enhancing
your "good" cholesterol count. As a result, those who drink green
tea can substantially increase their consumption of high cholesterol food,
yet maintain a relatively low bad cholesterol count. Green tea can also
decrease your blood sugar, protecting you against diabetes or at least reducing
symptoms of diabetes.
A number of studies have been done in order to ascertain the benefits of
green tea. For instance, researcher William Rumpler conducted a study in
order to determine the effects of green tea consumption on men. The results
indicated that the energy expenditure for tea-drinkers was three percent
higher after they ingested the tea. However, Rumpler and his colleagues
believe additional research needs to be conducted in order to determine
the full effect of green tea upon the human body.
Of course, in addition to weight loss, there are other advantages to the
GreenTea diet. It is believed to be effective in preventing Alzheimer's
disease, combating flu and colds, and boosting your immune system. As a
result, a number of people drink the beverage strictly for its medicinal
value.
On a segment of the "Oprah Winfrey" talk show, Dr. Nicholas Perricone
said that if you replaced coffee with green tea, you could lose as many
as ten pounds in six weeks. Perricone stated, "Coffee has organic acids
that raise your blood sugar, raise insulin. Insulin puts a lock on body
fat. When you switch over to green tea, you get your caffeine, you're all
set, but you will drop your insulin levels and body fat will fall very rapidly.
So 10 pounds in six weeks, I will guarantee it."
However, note that the physician is not prescribing green tea per se, but
rather calling it preferable to coffee. However, it appears clear that green
tea is a healthier beverage than coffee. A study published by the American
Journal of Clinical Study reports that green tea promotes fat oxidation,
and that this process appears to be the result of more than just the caffeine
that is a component of the tea. In other words, there appear to be qualities
inherent in green tea that foster fat oxidation.
It is interesting to note that some people wonder which is preferable:
loose-leaf green tea that you buy online or the green tea that you can purchase
at the supermarket. Generally speaking, supermarket green tea is considered
lower in quality than green tea purchased over the Internet. It has been
said that green tea offered on the Web also enables you to get the most
out of your money.
It appears that green tea is more than just a passing fad. It has emerged
as a legitimate health aid--a product which can help you lose weight over
the long run. While there is no such thing as a magic fix for weight loss,
you should consider adding green tea to your diet, not only for its weight
loss value, but for its medicinal properties as well.
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As a Teacher of Sport and Physical Education, Tony
Robinson has a keen interest in Health and Weight Loss issues.
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Lose Weight Fast - Six Sensible Tips for Long Term Weight Loss
By Sacha Tarkovsky In this article we are going to show you some sensible
PROVEN Ways to lose weight fast.
The good news about the diet tips enclosed are they do not involve starving
yourself, or using fad diets that can actually be bad for your long term
health.
1. Drink water
Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight
and keeping it off longer term.
Water acts as an appetite suppressant by keeping your stomach full and
fending off dehydration which can lead to false cravings/hunger.
Water also helps your body metabolize stored fat by helping the kidneys
flush out waste. When you don't drink enough water the liver which works
to provide stored fat for energy helps the kidneys eliminate waste and becomes
less effective at metabolizing fat.
Drinking water ice cold burns about 62 calories a day. Your body has to
work to raise that waters temperature to your body's temperature. This equals
around 430 calories per week.
2. Eat regularly
This means eating 5 times a day and the most important meal is breakfast.
Make sure you fuel your body first thing in the morning to avoid hunger
pangs later in the day.
When you eat 5 times a day you will never feel hungry, make sure the total
calories consumed are sensible and don't over eat in any of the meals learn
portion size control!
3. Eat lots of fibre
Eating adequate fiber foods to help keep things moving through your bowel.
And like water, fiber rich foods bulk you up and make you feel fuller for
longer.
Fibre is found only in plant foods our bodies cant digest it to so it simply
goes through the body. During the elimination process it cuts calories consumed
by attaching to protein and fat that you eat along with it removes that
as well
In addition, high fiber foods are typically low in calories and filling,
so you are reducing your calorie intake overall.
Good fibre foods include: strawberries, apples, figs, chickpeas, potatoes,
(with skins) broccoli, brown rice, beans, bran and nuts.
4. Consume more good fats
There are good fats and bad fats
Good fats provide you with essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic
acids) needed for normal reproduction and growth, as well as for production
of prostoglandin, a hormone like compound that regulates blood pressure,
prevents blood clotting and lowers the risk of heart disease.
For example, the reason oily fish is a great food stems from the fact that
the essential fatty acids which it contains can actually help your body
burn fat more efficiently and protect against disease. Get at least three
portions of oily fish a week with Salmon, mackerel, herrings and sardines
being good choices. 5. Get plenty of quality protein
Quality protein is an effective weight control tool because of the satiety
factor and its ability to keep you full for longer periods. It also balances
out carbohydrates by preventing insulin spikes that cause energy loss and
sugar cravings
Protein helps to maintain muscle mass which is important in the fat burning
process.
Good choices include:
Fish, shrimps, Low fat cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, skimmed milk, egg
whites, s Weight gain is caused by consuming too many calories, whether
they are from carbohydrate, protein or fat.
6. Carbohydrates can help you lose weight
Don't believe what you read about carbohydrates being bad for you, they
can actually help you lose weight!
A diet containing good carbohydrates such fruits and vegetables, wholegrains
and moderate in fat and calories, will result in weight loss
Good carbohydrates will also help you combat hunger pangs as they are slowly
realized into the body.
When eating carbohydrates eat them "from the earth" with no refining
or processing.
These include whole grains, vegetables; fruits and beans.
Sensible weight loss
If you have read the above you will see that it is not the food group,
but the quality of the food in it that's important for fast weight loss.
We have outlined all the major food groups above and providing you eat
quality foods in these groups and eat a sensible 5 meals a day you will
lose weight and feel healthy and full.
Need To Lose Weight Fast For A Special Occasion?
By Kirsten Hawkins If you have just a little weight to lose, and
want to take it off fast (say, so you can fit into those great pants for
your cousin's wedding), there are a number of diets that you can use. Most
of these wouldn't be recommended for long-term weight loss, as they substantially
restrict your intake of some essential nutrients, so using them habitually
may not be healthy. But if you're normal diet is healthy, and you just want
a quick boost to drop 8-10 pounds quickly, or to kick off a new diet with
a bang, the Cabbage Soup Diet actually works. The cabbage soup diet has
been around for nearly 30 years. It's based on the notion that your body
actually uses more calories to digest cabbage than the amount that it derives
from cabbage. It's a so-called 'negative calorie diet', and includes many
foods that, like cabbage, are high in fiber and very low in calories. The
base of the cabbage soup diet is - what else? Cabbage soup. There are several
recipes for cabbage soup available. Essentially, the soup is made with onions,
peppers, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, celery and spices to taste. You'll
be eating the soup every day - as much of it as you want. In addition, there
is a seven day routine of foods to supplement the cabbage soup. Day One:
All the fruit you want (except bananas) along with all the soup that you
want. No caffeinated beverages or sodas. Drink only water, tea and cranberry
juice. Day Two: Eat all the vegetables that you want, but avoid dried beans,
peas and corn. Eat veggies raw, fresh or cooked. No fats, no sauces, no
butter. At dinner, you may have one baked potato with butter - and of course,
all the cabbage soup that you want! Day Three: Eat all the fruits and veggies
that you want from day two and day three - but NO baked potato. Day Four:
Bananas and skim milk - yes, all the skim milk you want, plus up to eight
bananas, along with -- you guessed it, all the cabbage soup you want. Day
Five: Eat ten to twenty ounces of beef (or skinless chicken, or broiled
fish). Drink at least 10 glasses of water, and eat up to six fresh tomatoes.
(if you substitute for the beef today, you may not tomorrow) Day Six: Eat
all the beef, vegetables and cabbage soup that you want. No baked potato.
Lots of leafy green vegetables. Day Seven: You can have all the unsweetened
fruit juices, brown rice, and vegetables that you want - and at least one
bowl of soup. That's it. Remember - this diet is NOT recommended for long
term weight loss, or long term use. It doesn't contain enough complex carbohydrates
to be healthy for longer than a few days. But if you just need a jump-start
or a quick fix, it's a good way to pick up the pace for a week.
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Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.
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