Thursday, October 16, 2008

Weight Loss After Pregnancy

Almost all recent mothers will think about how they are going to lose weight after the pregnancy but this shouldn't be their prime concern after giving birth. This is a situation often made worse by celebrity moms who seem to regain their figures after a mere few short weeks after having a baby. of course the time dedicated to regaining their figure is also disproportionate to the average mother.

The chances of a regular mother having the facilities for quick weight loss after pregnancy is unlikely unless they have a very healthy bank balance. A new mother will be thinking about her baby and her focus should be eating healthily to regain strength and recover from the birth. A healthy diet means one that contains some fiber which should equal around two thousand calories a day,the main constituents of her daily diet should be:

Half as carbohydrates, Protein should be almost a third of daily intake. Fat should be about one tenth of daily intake

Ok, the percentage totals don't add up to 100 percent but there's a reason for this as every diet should leave a little room for enjoyment and there is no need to go to extremes so have some of the foods you enjoy without guilt, just don't go crazy. Although a new born child takes a great deal of care and time, it is still necessary for a mother to attempt some form of regular exercise which will also improve her metabolism and stamina. The exercise doesn't have to be anything that is heavy, moderate and regular are the key aspects here as this way you will also enjoy it, although you won't start seeing the benefits immediately.

This can be an excellent way to begin your weight loss after pregnancy but remember that your individual reduction will depend on a number of things one of which is how much you gained while you were pregnant. Don't forget that changes to your body will take place after you have given birth which will affect how quickly you will lose any pounds you have gained. The order of the day is that losing weight after pregnancy will be more consistent and healthy if it is achieved slowly but surely through a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

It must be re-iterated that the loss should not be looked upon as something that must be done as quickly as possible as it should really come off about the same sort of pace it was put on. If this routine is maintained then there is no reason why the excess and unwanted weight you gained during the pregnancy should not be lost within a relatively short period of time. Getting your figure back is perfectly possible after pregnancy and most women will achieve this but some may find that those last few annoying pounds just won't go until the breast feeding has ended.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

How do Green Tea Products Work?

By now, almost everyone who uses health and dietary supplements will have heard of the amazing antioxidant properties of green tea, not to mention many others that benefit us. People requiring a natural product to burn calories will not find anything to compare with green tea weight loss supplements.

The affect on the human metabolism is quite amazing as it actually slows down the process of aging if used over a long period by aiding cell regeneration. With weight loss however, both the laxative effects and anti-oxidant abilities are used to help improve the metabolism. To help stop fatty tissue from forming, products using it increase the number of calories we burn by speeding our normal metabolic rate.

All the benefits of green tea weigh loss supplements can easily be ruined if the person taking them feels they can still abuse their body without consequence. It is important to remember that weight loss also requires a person to completely change their eating habits otherwise just consuming the product will be a waste of time.

When prepared as infusion, green tea should be used in the evening before going to bed. It is possible that during the first two or three days, you may experience some bowel discomfort, but that is very likely to pass soon. Some people are worried about this reaction but this is how green tea weight loss supplements work, by making adjustments to the body's metabolic rate. Indications that it is working can generally be seen within seven days of use providing other aspects of the diet are followed like drinking plenty of fluids combined with physical activity, fruit and vegetables.

One very successful combination of green tea products is that which includes ginseng root extract. Used in Asia for thousands of years ginseng is well known and respected there and provides essential vitamins and minerals for good health when combined with those already found in the product.

When ginseng is used in association with green tea it stimulates the immune system and fortifies the user, representing a valuable energy source, during the stressful period when you are returning to normal weight. Ginseng and green tea have an excellent safety record with people using them for up to six months without incident.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Rapid Weight Loss

Whether you are following a rapid weight loss diet plan or trying to lose weight slowly, you are facing a life style change that is based totally on how your working week goes. Attitude and poor habits are the biggest downfall of all of us and in particular when someone is dieting; these need to be changed for a diet to succeed. There are a number of things that can affect your weight loss; some of these are listed here:

Family history

A person's weight can cause severe mental and physical anguish. 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. Rapid weight loss programs can achieve this but they are generally a combination of things; anyone contemplating this type of program needs to start eating a healthy diet as well as taking part in daily physical activity. Start by learning a diet food plan that can easily be customized and incorporate an exercise plan that allows at least fifteen minutes a day of exercise such as brisk walking, running, swimming or dancing.



Though there are many rapid weight loss plans out there, everyone's body and metabolism reacts differently to these programs; some people can't progress on the diet as fast as others. If you are finding that the weight is not being lost as quickly as it should be then perhaps you will need to adapt your exercise routine to something that is more arduous and change part of your diet plan to increase energy levels. 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.

Certain physical activities are easier than others so do not be concerned if all you can do to start with is walk; however, try to improve the pace you walk at as your diet progresses, remembering that you will look better when your fat is converted into muscle. The importance of drinking fresh water regularly cannot be emphasized enough; rapid weight loss depends on flushing your system out so you must stay hydrated during the process, about 6 large glasses per day should be enough. Removing fried foods from the diet plan should almost go without saying as the fat content in these foods is incredibly high and in some instances, this will include certain fish as well.

It is recommended for those on a strict diet to opt for grilled food as this contains a smaller amount of fat after the food has been cooked. We all need energy to carry out daily tasks, and more if we perform physical activities, so do not stop eating carbohydrates otherwise you will find yourself tired all the time. Using a weight loss plan like this will mean that if followed correctly then around a pound a day will be lost, depending on the individual but it must be said that failure to maintain this level of 1,000 to 1,500 calories per day will ensure the weight will be put back on.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Stretch Before you Commence your Fitness Training

Stretching exercises are recognized as a necessary part of any fitness training and physical activity; many muscle and joint injuries have been prevented this way. There are some other points to remember as well that can ensure a safe and enjoyable workout. To increase your flexibility and to avoid injuries, stretch before and after workout. It has been shown that by maintaining this regime after physical activity has finished that fewer injuries occur and muscle flexibility increases.

For instance, stretching movements for a warm up only have to last a third of the time that the same movements do when you are doing a cool-down, so they need to last for about a minute. The best method to achieve this is to stretch slowly and return to your original position slowly as this will prevent any jerking movements which could cause injury. Ideally the stretch should last a few seconds then a slow return because it is easy to damage joints or even pull muscles when this is not done correctly. Work slowly in increments instead of immediately proceeding to doing the hardest exercise or position so make sure that you have stretched or warmed up all muscle groups.

Injuries to the neck can be common because most people neglect warming it up; the easiest way to carry this out is by using the palm of your hand, alternate placing pressure from on the forehead to the back of the head and then the sides. If you carry out regular stretching prior to fitness training you will be surprised just how flexible your body becomes and it will increase your ability to perform certain training. Workout only to your capabilities and not that of others so do not force yourself to do exercises that you are not yet capable of just because there are people who can do it; increase your limits slowly and listen to your body. Do not expect your body to be able to carry out the same exercises and level of training every time you go to the gym because some days you will have a better workout than others; this is perfectly normal and to be expected.

Every athlete knows that muscles need to heal and grow from physical exertion so give yourself a day off between fitness training and exercising; your body will appreciate it. Aerobic exercises are the best for you because they will improve you cardiovascular system, improve your stamina, lung capacity and overall fitness; exercises like skipping running, rowing, swimming, stepping machines etc. It is well known that music makes exercise easier as the beat is something you can follow and these days the tiny mp3 players can be attached without too much bother. Stretching is good for you even if you are not performing it before exercise and many people use it for relaxation purposes prior to sleep. Apart from preventing injuries and increasing your limit, it is also said that stretching is good for a tired body and also for a stressed mind and spirit.

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.