Monday, May 26, 2008

Problems with Fast Weight Loss

If you are considering starting a fast weight loss program, then you should be aware that it will affect how you live your life from day to day if you are serious about losing weight. If you are not determined and willing to change your bad habits then it doesn't matter what diet you're on, it probably won't work. Not everyone loses weight at the same speed because many aspects have to be factored into this equation; for instance:

  • Genetic make-up
  • Previous mental anguish
  • Determination

Excessive weight causes many problems; some but not all are physical aspects. Whilst the health risks are reduced when a person starts to lose weight, it is the self-confidence and self-esteem returning that is the most noticeable.

It is for this reason that so many people are searching for a fast weight loss technique that will trim down those fats and get a super slim head-turning body; an approach that combines diet, exercise, emotional support and in some cases, diet supplements must be used if it is to be successful. This will require a regular and routine exercise period every day of about fifteen minutes, preferably a cardiovascular program and a diet that is flexible enough to incorporate personal tastes.

Remember that even though there are many fast weight loss plans available, everyone is different so not all will work; some people will have faster success than others; this is perfectly normal and is not an indication of failure. The flexibility required for the diet plan might also be required for the exercise program as well to increase the difficulty level if the weight isn't being lost as quickly as expected. Each person has a unique metabolism and when a particular program is not proving successful, it does not mean that success cannot be found with another diet plan.

Some people are unable to run, dance or swim so if you are only comfortable walking then that is fine; calories are burnt quicker with muscle that has been converted from fat, even as a result of walking, but not everyone is suited to vigorous physical exertion. Drinking water regularly throughout the day is very important; someone on a fast weight loss program should be drinking at least 6 glasses of water each day which will replace lost fluids and help get rid of bad toxins at the same time. Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as they contain a great amount of fat and whilst fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when beef is fried.

People on very low fat diets should grill the majority of their meals as much less fat is retained in the food if any at all. Many people think it is a good idea to give up carbohydrates like bread, pasta, potatoes for example but as they supply our energy needs are necessary for day to day activities including exercise. A weight loss diet like this will enable someone to lose about a pound a day as they will be on anywhere between one thousand to fifteen hundred calories a day, but once they start eating more the weight will go back on again.


Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Fruit Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nature's way to fight illness and disease; they are found in a wide variety of plants. Many fruits and vegetables contain these compounds called ‘phytonutrients', which have the beneficial effect of keeping us healthy by improving our immune system. Research into these fantastic compounds continues with over nine hundred compounds discovered already; with these discoveries (and more to come), scientists believe the face of healthcare is changing, hopefully forever. There has been a whole host of discoveries made into the properties of these phytonutrients; the anti-aging power of blueberries, the joint pain relieving properties of cherries and a whole host of powerful properties in pomegranates are just a few examples.

Containing less sugar than most fruits, the blueberry can also boast a number of other antioxidant properties too. Often the easiest way for people to take fruit is in juice form which are readily available all year round; some of the many benefits have been improvements in the body's capacity to heal itself and benefits to circulation. Not content with helping to prevent illness, these antioxidants also help fight disease and infection. You will also find high levels of these substances in apples which can help to reduce the chance of heart disease.

Lemons, limes and other citrus fruits to are proving to have many such phytochemical properties as well. Joint pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and gout are also aided by the phytonutrients found in tart cherries. Most of us have already heard about the benefits that certain minerals and vitamins like B, c and E provide which have now become widely used in products. The Phytoalexin (another antioxidant), resveratrol has many anti-viral and anti-infection properties used by plants, a number of these are helpful to people, they are found in blueberries, mulberries and blackberries.

Some of the most common aging conditions including Alzheimer's disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and heart attack can all be helped by these compounds. Others found in tomatoes make this one super-food in the prevention of heart disease. The best way to concentrate these antioxidant properties has been found when we use tomato sauce, puree and juice. In the heat of summer, a watermelon can be one of the most refreshing of fruits but it has also been found to have a range of the most important phytonutrients so far discovered. People have been advised to eat more fruit (more than they currently consume) for some time but now the science behind this advice is finally beginning to show through.

Friday, May 9, 2008

How to Lose Weight

The best way to loose weight is to focus on effective and natural weight loss through a reduction in calories and increase in physical activity; few ever listen to this suggestion. This should be an easy concept for the many overweight people around the world; a third of overweight Americans and millions globally, would disagree with this advice. Why is it then that vast numbers of overweight people want to lose that weight, is it to look good again or could it be about improving their health?

The truth is it is easier to maintain your weight than it is to lose excess pounds and the heavier you become the harder the weight loss becomes. Even though many people know this subconsciously very few actually plan to ensure that weight gain doesn't happen to them.

It has been shown that even when overweight people enjoy eating low calorie foods, the majority become bored and end up putting the weight back on because they slip back into previous ways. Despite the momentum towards weight gain, natural weight loss methods can stop this from happening, and there are plenty of good reasons to avoid piling on excess pounds that go beyond vanity or social acceptance.

The importance of maintaining the correct weight is more than just for looks especially as the number of health problems related to weight and obesity grows. The annoying part is that natural weight maintenance is not difficult to understand but overweight people choose to ignore this.

Stick to a healthy diet that contains the correct food groups with a balanced amount from each if you want your natural weight loss program to be successful. If you were looking at a meal then this would be a baked potato (carbohydrate), the vegetables would be the fiber and a little meat, is the protein.

Unfortunately, dietary fat contains higher amounts of calories than ordinary food which when consumed will just be converted to body fat more readily. Despite the number of either low fat or zero fat foods on the market, it's a surprise that the American people continue to put on weight, but there is a very good reason for this.

The weight a person puts on isn't always as a result of high fat foods, although they obviously do not help, but a result of too many calories turning into body fat. Weight control methods ensure you avoid the fat-free products but suggest you eat healthy and nutritious snacks if you are hungry.

The subject of when to eat and how often can be contentious but the latest thoughts on the subject suggest that keeping to regular meal times and eating small nutritious snacks between meals may be the answer. The lifestyle you want really is possible if you just remember that natural weight loss is a way of living and not just some fashion.