Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Super Healthy Diet Plan!

Get ready to lose 10 pounds! By paying attention to the amount of food you eat, eliminating unnecessary sugar and fat from your foods and making sure you include absolutely delicious meals and snacks to keep your taste buds happy. Use this easy-to-follow and super healthy diet plan to lose the first 10, the last 10, or any 10 in between! Because it’s a balanced and flexible program, you can stay on this diet as long as it takes.

Top Fast Secrets
• Keep track of everything you eat and drink. No need to estimate calories – just write down the type of food or beverage and the amount.
• Cut your fat intake in half, that means half as much margarine or butter on toast, vegetables and your muffin, half the mayonnaise on your sandwich, and half the oil in the pan when you saute foods. You get the idea!
• Limit the sugar treats to three times per week maximum.
• Include good sources of protein at meal, chicken, fish, legumes, peanut, cottage cheese, eggs or yogurt.
• Eat at least one meatless lunch and dinner each week to reduce fat, increase fiber, and get yourself into the habit of building meals around whole grains, beans and vegetables.
• If you’re not currently using skim milk, go down to the level of fat content in the milk you use. For example, if you currently use two percent, use only one percent. If you insist on whole milk, try two percent.
• Eat at least two servings of fresh fruit every day. Choose whatever type of fruit is in season.
• Instead of fruit juice for breakfast or snack, drink water. Add a slice of lemon or lime for zest.
• Include two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner, for a total of at least four servings per day.
• Choose one to two servings of foods made from whole grains with every meal.
• Shut off the TV whenever you eat – that includes meals and snacks. Studies show that we automatically eat larger portions when we snack in front of the tube, and typically those foods are high in fat and sugar, which means excess calories!
• Choose calories you can chew – that means only calorie-free beverages (except for milk) Sodas are loaded with empty calories, and fruit juices provide less fiber and vitamins per calorie than the fruit they’re made from.
• Plan ahead for meals and snacks so you know exactly what you plan to eat. Last-minute choice tends to be higher in calories and lower in satisfaction.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about diet plan.
Article Source: http://www.freearticlesdirectory.com

Monday, February 26, 2007

Reasons for Obesity

Causes of Obesity

Just like there is no weight loss pill or single "magic potion" diet plan to cure obesity there is no single cause of obesity.

We are living in an age of two income families, job loss, stress, and time constraints. It makes it difficult to prepare and eat healthy foods. The ad agencies, the big food companies, and the 35 Billion dollar diet plan and diet supplement industries are taking full advantage of the American people's need for instant gratification.

What weight loss research has uncovered is that there is no quick fix for permanent weight loss. A person who is considered obese must realize that no weight loss pill, no shake, no diet plan or reduced calorie bar, is going to make him or her slim overnight. Weight loss pills are unhealthy because they tend to induce jitters in people, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oftentimes does not verify their safety. Just a few years
ago, weight loss pills containing ephedra were removed from the market because they were believed to cause heart problems in people.

What we struggle with as a nation is the idea that everything has to happen now; no, make that yesterday. If we cannot have immediate results, we don't want to know about it. Unfortunately, weight loss research clearly shows that we cannot expect to lose fat weight quickly; nor can we do so in a healthy manner. The only path to permanent weight loss is through a commitment to a healthier lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise and a nutritious diet.

Depending on how much weight you have to lose, you may need the guidance of your doctor to begin a new workout program for weight loss. If you merely have five or 10 pounds to drop, you can begin to take some steps to lose that weight safely. First, take a good look at what you are putting in your mouth. Replace processed foods with natural foods, and make sure to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day, more if you exercise heavily. Limit alcohol and caffeine, as both can dehydrate you quickly.

Permanent weight loss can only result from burning more calories on a daily basis than you consume. One pound of fat equals about 3500 calories. You need to burn off those excess calories or they are stored as fat, it's that simple.

Rapid weight loss from fad diets usually is made up of water loss. Muscle contains four times as much water as fat. So rapid weight loss reduces lean muscle, causing the metabolism to slow, making the diet program eventually level out and stop.

Educate Yourself about Weight Loss, nutrition and the causes of obesity.

The point of my book, Living to Be Younger, is to educate people on weight loss research. I wanted people to know the facts so that they could make informed decisions regarding their own health.

Only you can make the decision to live a healthy life by eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep. If you want to look and feel fabulous, you can. Just remember that you must put in the necessary work to reach your health goals. I believe you can do it, and more than that, I believe you deserve to live your best life. Why not go for it?

About the author:
Martin Harshberger
Take the first step to a younger, fitter, more active lifestyle. Learn the facts about nutrition, diet plans, and how external marketing forces are driving us. Learn the facts and succeed..
Visit our wesite at: http://www.livingtobeyounger.com
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Sunday, February 18, 2007

How to Burn Belly Fat - 3 Things You Can Do Right Away to Burn Belly Fat

Do you want to know how to burn belly fat off? Well you’re not alone. Belly fat can be attributed to many degenerating diseases and we should make an effort to take the extra fat off.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to directly target your belly to burn fat. However, you can still burn belly fat off. The body has its own system for burning fat. The way to start to burn belly fat off is incorporating the following into your life:

Burn more calories than you are eating.

One of the best ways to burn belly fat off is a reduced calorie diet. Reduced calorie diets are extremely effective in loosing weight and burning fat. The benefit of reduced calorie diet is that you do not have to change the foods that you eat, just eat a little less.

You do not have to starve yourself with a reduced calorie diet. Even though a reduced calorie diet requires that you cut the calories you eat, you should only cut down a little. Cutting calories to a point of starving yourself will not work because the body has a mechanism for keeping fat to survive.

Cutting down on the calories you eat is actually simple to do but it’s not easy. You should do is purchase a calorie counter book or look up common foods online to help you. You’ll see how much calories each food contains.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising complements a reduced calorie diet because you burn calories with exercise. So, the more calories you burn, the more fat you may burn. While exercise is very important, you still need a healthy diet to optimize your body’s fat burning process.

Exercises such as weight training builds muscle. As you build muscle, you burn more calories. Muscles need food to build, therefore you burn calories. Exercise also makes your body to work more efficiently by increasing blood flow.

As you exercise more you get in better shape. You can increase your metabolism which helps you burn belly fat off.

Start Making the Right Food Choices

As I said above you can eat a little less and start to burn belly fat off. However, I would like to discuss the type of calories you eat. If you want to streamline the fat burning process you have to cut out empty calories.

Even if you are burning more calories than you are taking in, you need to start thinking about increasing the quality of your calories. Here are some easy changes you can make to help you burn belly fat off.

If you drink soda, start to gradually cut down or eliminate soda from your diet and start drinking water. Soda contains a lot of processed sugar and can add unwanted calories to your diet. If you drink about 3 to 4 cans a day. That is a possible 450 – 600 calories of unneeded calories per day.

Try to cut processed foods for foods in a natural state. If you enjoy fast food during the work day, try bringing in your lunch. For example, replace the burger and fries with meat and a baked potato. If you use the proper proportions, you are bound to save calories and you will be feeding your body better.

While burning off belly fat is simple it may be challenging. As we discussed it is very hard work since you cannot spot reduce a section of your body. However, with some basic changes and persistence, you’ll be able to trim down your belly.

About the Author:
John Purfield
To really learn how to burn belly fat off read our review of the burn the fat feed the muscle e book at www.addfitness.com/reviews/burn-the-fat-feed-the-muscle.shtml.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnetwork.com/

Saturday, February 17, 2007

The Difference Between Liquid Hoodia And Hoodia Pills

For those interested in taking hoodia, they will be presented with a choice between pill and liquid forms. As with any natural supplements taken, there are certain distinctive differences between liquid and pill forms of consumption. Similarly to taking multivitamin supplements, hoodia in liquid form is more expensive but has been shown to assimilate into the body system faster and have a greater amount of the substance used by the body than when it is taken in pill form.

Of course, companies who produce in liquid form are more than happy to self advertise these facts. The process requires state of the art technology and can be a bit expensive, which is why the supplements do indeed cost more than their pill counterparts. Reducing the substances to liquid forms allows the body to be able to digest it faster and easier than pill form, which results in a higher percentage of the substance being used by the body due to the increased biochemical potency and this results in more effect for less substance.

The system works since liquid hoodia is pre-extracted and therefore the body does not actually need to digest and break down the hoodia as it would need to in the pill. Rather, liquid form contains pre-extracted hoodia and this allows the body to use it as soon as it is consumed, bypassing the digestive process.

Obviously price can be a deterrent in swaying certain buyers from switching to liquid form, however there are a couple more advantages. Namely, less hoodia has to be consumed for similar effect. Rather than having to take a bulky pill, users can instead put a few drops into a glass of water and drink the extract with ease. Thankfully, the taste is of such liquids is usually either not noticeable or contains a few additives to add a good taste to counteract any negative tastes resulting from the extracts in the liquid.

About the Author:
Rand Hanes
Find out more about hoodia gordonii, and my weight loss blog at www.hitechweightloss.com
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Best Diets To Lose Weight

This article explores the myths behind the best diets to lose weight and explains that the best 'diet' is a lifetstyle of healthy eating.

My name is Nitin Chhoda and I am a personal trainer based in Hackensack, NJ.

I hate dieting, period. When I didn't know any better, I dieted, and am not proud of it. You're reading this article because you want to find the best diet to lose weight.

Here's the truth - The best diet to lose weight should not feel like a diet, it should be a lifestyle.

Here's the problem with a diet, it is temporary, which means you will not stick with it. The best diet to lose weight is something you can live with day after day. It's an approach to eating which involves healthy food, and occasional cheating.

If you don't cheat once in a while, you will end up cheating all the time. Therefore, cheating is a part of a healthy diet!

Drawbacks of a 'strict diet' to lose weight.

(a) Diet's require that you eat a certain way, with typical restrictions. Unless a diet is well-planned, it may emphasize too much of one nutrient at the expense of another . For example, a high protein diet is, as the name suggests, high in protein and fat. By default, this means that it's hard to get a satisfactory supply of complex carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals with such a diet. Although some updated diet plans attempt to correct this imbalance with healthy choices, the million dollar question is:- Can you stick with that plan for the rest of your life? Research has shown that individuals who go on a strict diet tend to give up at some point. If they revert back to old (generally unhealthy) eating habits, they not only gain the weight back, but put on some more weight! This leads to a vicious 'yo-yo' affect in which he/she goes on yet another diet, and fails to lose weight. The only think one ends up losing is hope, motivation and knowledge about the right foods/habits to get on the right track.

(b) Many diets require some degree of starvation. Starving is a surefire way to slow down your metabolism and gain weight in the long run! If you don't eat enough, your metabolism shuts down so your body gets used to eating little calories. Your body develops a tendency to store fat, instead of lose it.

(c) A diet can be an ordeal to sustain for many people. It can affect your social life (you can't eat what your friends are eating), your state of mind and even your health. Any food restriction in diets (and if you find a best diet to lose weight, you can bet it involves some type of restriction) can be harmful because the body does not obtain a sufficient variety of nutrients. Also, if you give up on the diet, you not only regain the weight, but tend to 'binge' on the foods you missed and may even become worse in your eating habits!

There is a unique diet method that I have developed on my own, and it has helped thousands of clients get results. You can view my clients in action with exercise videos and download full color exercise routines, diet plans and ebooks by registering on my websites mentioned at the end of this article.

As you probably know, there are several diet plans in the market. I have reviewed them to help you decide the best diet to lose weight.

In summary, the best diet to lose weight is healthy, something you can live with, and from which you can deviate once in a while.

About the Author:
Nitin Chhoda
For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com.
Submitted on 2006-11-09
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Acomplia The High Efficacy Treatment for Obesity

Obesity and diseases associated with obesity are devouring thousands of people every year across the globe. Improper food habits lays red carpet for obesity. Balanced diet and doing appropriate work out are the common means to get rid of obesity. Sounds good but both things are difficult to follow as our highly mechanized life style does not permit us to do more physical work. Moreover, the high calorie junk food is thing for which temptation is irresistible. Therefore, there is a desperate need for an alternative which can be helpful without putting any restriction on your food habits and with small amount of work out. Is there any such alternative available? Yes. Obesity is a disease whose treatment is possible with diet pill Acomplia.

Acomplia neither needs the user to spend many hours in the gym nor does it compel you to stop eating your favourite food. Acomplia is the marvelous invention of Sanofi-Aventis of France. June 2006 witnessed the launch of Acomplia in the European weight loss drug market by an agreement signed by 25 members’ panel European Union. The United Kingdom is the first country where sale of Acomplia started; Acomplia very soon is going to be launched in the Germany. The drug can be launched in the US either at the end of 2006 or in the beginning of 2007, most probably with the brand name Zimulti. FDA approval for Acomplia is awaited meanwhile Sanofi-Aventis is hopeful to get it very soon

The functioning of Acomplia as an appetite suppressant is quiet different. The basic salt in Acomplia is Rimonabant. Rimonabant inhibits working of cannabinoid receptors (CB-1). CB-1 is responsible for transmitting hunger signal to the brain. Acomplia does it in a balanced way so that the user never has to starve.

The story of development of this drug is interesting; during drug development Rimonabant primarily used for suppressing addiction for tobacco, but what generally happens with many incidentally generated great inventions happened with Rimonabant. Acomplia (Rimonabant) is found to be very effective as an appetite suppressant. On the other hand its effectiveness as an anti-smoking drug cannot be overlooked.

This is an oral prescription drug; doctor’s advice and prescription is compulsory for starting doses of Acomplia. Using Acomplia can be a cause of mild problems like dizziness, nausea, lethargy, muscle cramp and constipation. Generally, complications associated with the use of Acomplia disappear quickly within days. However, if the complications are prolonged, a doctor must be contacted immediately. Acomplia is not meant for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers.

Efficacy of Acomplia helping people in regaining a good shape is very high. Moreover it is available quickly at your doorsteps without letting people to know how you are becoming slimming & trim day by day.

About the Author:
Clarence Carter received training as a healthcare scientist. She has been working in the same field and writes informative articles, weight loss being her pet subject. To find Acomplia, Xenical(Orlistat), Weight loss drug Tips, Childhood obesity, Acomplia(Rimonabant), Phentermine, Reductil visit www.weight-loss-drug.co.uk
Article Source: ArticleToGo.com

Monday, February 12, 2007

Menopause and Weight Loss

During menopause, many women report that the challenge of weight loss becomes even more difficult. The need to lose weight haunts women most of the time, and now more men are reporting the same struggle. When women hit menopause, weight gathers around the waist and hips; despite our best efforts to diet and exercise.

What we know is that this additional body fat is linked to your hormones. Most women follow a conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet with lots of processed foods. Eventually this diet creates a condition known as insulin resistance; see Dr. Schwarzbein's book on the book list. When you are insulin resistant, your body converts calories into fat even when you are dieting. Menopause feels like a losing battle, but it doesn't have to be.

When you are stressed, as the body typically is during menopause, stress hormones block weight loss. Despite adequate food, the body acts as if it's in a famine and stores all spare calories as fat.
This leads to a metabolic disorder called adrenal fatigue.

Many women combine a high-stress life with a low-fat, high-carb diet which creates a powerful hormonal imbalance which causes us to gain weight. Yo-yo dieting exacerbates the problem.
Also, when a woman is on a high-carb diet she is often barraged with a craving for sweets. The body can't maintain optimal blood sugar and serotonin levels, so you snack and drink caffeine to feel better. That makes your insulin resistance worse and the vicious cycle of gaining weight is accelerated.

During perimenopause, women lose estrogen which is an added factor to this problem. As estrogen decreases, the body needs extra fat resources. Other factors that play into this problem, are unresolved emotional issues, food sensitivities, digestive issues such as yeast, and even heavy metal toxicity.

So what do we do?

The most important step is to GET HEALTHY!

Follow an eating plan like the one in the Schwarzbein Principle or the Zone Diet

You need protein at every meal, low carbs, very little to no processed food, and lots of fruit and vegetables

Drink plenty of water

Take nutritional supplements

Try Supplements Designed for Menopause

Stop weighing yourself, use your clothes as a gauge (focus on your health not your weight)

Start exercising - walk 4-5 times a week for 30 minute (it boosts metabolism)

Get help for emotional eating - you have to face your fears to get through them

Reduce the stress in your life, make time for fun and relaxation - strive for BALANCE

Learn to love yourself during menopause and accept who you are and at what stage in life you find yourself

Menopause can make weight loss even more challenging for both women and men. But with the right knowledge and some hard work, it can be done.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

About the author:
Cathy Taylor writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly menopause, and a copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com
To read a sample of this book go to http://www.everythingmenopause.com/currentissue.html
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Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Benefits Of A High Fiber Diet

Most people recognize the value in eating right. Following a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber has many benefits.

Fiber is an integral part of the eating right puzzle. In today’s fast paced world of a meal in minutes the important of eating high fiber foods sometimes becomes forgotten.

Eating foods that are rich in fiber is essential to the health of your digestive tract. Fiber works in several ways to aid with the removal of waste from the body. When you consume an adequate amount of fiber each day your body is able to process the waste much easier. Fiber also works to soften stools and with constipation being a concern of many people, this is very important.

There are many foods that are naturally high in fiber and incorporating these into your diet is a good idea.

Whole grains are rich in fiber. These should be consumed each day and include items such as whole grain breads and muffins, whole grain pasta and cereals. There are several delicious breakfast cereals that are high in fiber. Having a bowl each morning along with a slice of whole grain bread or a serving of whole grain pasta later in the day will greatly increase your daily fiber intake.

Another group of foods that are good sources of fiber are fruits and vegetables. Not all fruits and vegetables are high in fiber though. Berries are an especially rich in fiber. This includes raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Pears and apples with their skins left on can also add to your daily fiber intake.

If you prefer to add dry fruits to your diet than you’ll want to look at items such as dried apricots and raisins. Sprinkling these in a salad or eating them as a snack is beneficial and contributes to how much fiber you are eating.

Vegetables can also be full of fiber. Many types of beans can add a substantial amount of fiber to your diet. Adding red kidney beans to chili or dried beans to a soup is a tasty method of getting your family to eat more fiber. Broccoli, green peas and spinach all contain fiber too. Eating one or two servings of these vegetables each day helps you ensure that you are getting the fiber that your body needs.

Another way that some people add to their fiber intake is to purchase one of the fiber rich drinks that are available. Many of these drinks are designed to aid with constipation. They are normally in the form of a powder and when the powder is added to water it becomes an appealing drink.

For some people this is how they supplement their fiber intake each day. They consume the drink at the same time daily and it helps them to remain regular. The added benefit is that they are increasing their fiber intake in the easiest way possible.

Fiber is important to your diet regardless of your age. Choose fiber rich foods that you enjoy and you will automatically reap the benefits of a fiber rich diet.

About the Author:
Naldo Camarones
Fiber Resources and Information around it
Article Source: http://www.freearticlesdirectory.com

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Tips on Keeping a Food Diary

One of the most powerful tools in weight loss success, apart from eating correctly and adequate exercise, is keeping a food log or nutritional journal. A nutritional journal is basically a record of what you ate every day and helps you to asses your eating patterns, while identifying potential unhealthy patterns.

It's both scary and amazing to see, in black and white just how much food you are consuming every day. While you may think you're eating too little, or not eating any "junk food", having a record of it in your food diary will ensure that you know exactly what you've eaten, which may help you get to the root of any weight problems.

Keeping a record of your food intake, not only helps you identify your eating patterns now, but it may also be a very handy tool in helping you create a nutritional program that keeps you satisfied, happy and healthy.

Here are a few helpful tips to help you start your own nutritional journal:

+ Write it ALL down: Whether you ate "healthy food" or not, write it down. By excluding foods you think make you look bad, you will only be cheating yourself.

+ Don't forget the little things: Things like coffee, sugar, soft drinks, juices, milk, sauces, dressings and gravies all add up, so don't forget to document when you ate these too.

+ Quantity: It is important to write down how much and which foods you ate. Now this doesn't mean you have to go around with a scale attached to your pocket, but remember to note the size of the portion, for instance, half a cup of brown rice with about 200g of fillet steak and 2 tablespoons of creamy pepper sauce.

+ Mood monitor: It's a good idea to record your mood and how each food made you feel. For instance, if you were in a stressful meeting with the boss and ate a chocolate straight after, you can pinpoint that when you are feeling stressed you eat chocolate. This may seem silly at first but it really helps you pinpoint emotional problems.

About the Author:
Susan du Plessis
Visit Susan's website http://a2z.learninginfo.org for more information on health and beauty. +++ This article can be freely used as long as a link to "A 2 Z Magazines" http://a2z.learninginfo.org is provided.
Added: 21 Nov 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/43344.html

Friday, February 09, 2007

Can Hoodia Help You Lose Weight ?

Hoodia is the newest catch phrase in the weight loss industry today. Everyone wants to be in on the secret, and still more are wondering about this miraculous plant. What does it do, how can it help you lose weight, and why wasn’t it heard of before? Well, some of it appears to be true, however there is more to weight loss than just taking a pill.

Hoodia has actually been around for quite some time, but was only recently discovered to be an appetite suppressant. According to many reports, including some from well known media, it can make you feel full faster and stay full longer because of it's apparent ability to stave off hunger.

The Bushmen of the Kalahari deserts have been eating Hoodia for quite some time now, and have been familiar with its thirst and hunger quenching abilities. That’s why, when using hoodia it is important to have adequate hydration on top of a healthy diet. Even though hoodia is natural and may be able to work on its own to help safely curb your appetite, it is essential that you incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle. Allowing it to starve you is not healthy, so remember that.

Speaking with your doctor is essential in assuring you do not get in over your head. As with any weight loss product, your doctor should know what you are taking and how you plan to use Hoodia in your life. While it is not known to cause any unpleasant side effects, it’s not for certain how it will react with any prescription medications you could be taking. For safety reasons, let your physician know you plan on taking Hoodia and they may be able to help devise a diet and exercise plan that will work with the supplement to ensure maximum weight loss potential.

Although this supplement is being toted by many as the newest weight loss miracle, do not let the hype get to you. It is unrealistic to expect a diet pill to do all the work for you and put simply, it will not.

Diet pills like Hoodia, Phentermine, Bontril, Adipex, or others, can help you reach your weight loss goals by supressing your appetite, but that's only part of the solution to keeping the weight off forever. If you want to lose weight and maintain your health, you have to be willing to change your eating habits and exercise.

Eat foods daily that are good for you like :

-Fruits and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables.
-Lean chicken.
-Fish like Haddock, Cod, or Salmon, that is low in fat and has Omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart.
-Replace peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter.
-Replace white bread with multigrain, rye, or spelt bread.
-Stay away from sugar. Use honey instead. Stay away from artifical sweetners.
-If you must eat deserts, eat low sugar yogurt or plain yogurt mixed with fresh fruit. Or go to a specialty bakery or health food store and buy desserts made without sugar and without preservatives.
-Stay away from caffeine that is in coffee and tea as much as possible. If you suffer from fatique, headaches, or anxiety all the time, this may be part of the reason. Try decafeinated brands instead.
-Reduce your salt consumption. Use No Salt or Half Salt products instead.
-Eat nuts without oil added to them, like pure almonds, cashews and so on, but not that much. They do have a high calorie content.
-Stay away from packaged products, including TV dinners, that are loaded with chemicals and sodium.

*Note: If you are allergic to any of the above, check with your physician for advice.

Exercise :
-Walk at least 20 minutes straight, 3-5 times per week.
-Lift light weights if you can and your doctor approves. A good gym is the best for this because they can put you on a good workout schedule. Strengthening your muscles will help you burn fat faster and will make you feel better.
-Start out slow and build from there.

You'll succeed and lose the weight you want over time if you follow some or all of these guidelines. Depending on how much you are overweight now, most doctors advise losing no more than 4 pounds a month. You should be able to do that easily.

If you are prone to eating binges, or you have a sweet tooth, or you find that cutting down on how much you eat is too tough, you should consider an appetite suppressant like Hoodia Gordonii or similar, at least for the first few months you're trying to lose weight. Only taking what is suggested on the bottle or even less at first to see how it affects you. Ask your doctor for guidance if needed.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it and realize you are not on a diet, but you're changing your lifestyle for the better.

About the Author:
Ken Black is the owner of www.Weight-Loss-Discovery.com, a website dedicated to helping you lose weight.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Adipex-Another Safe Route To Weight Loss

The online pharmacy segment is crowded with claims of better and progressively improving weight loss pills with lesser negative side effects. There are two kinds of diet pills: Prescription and over the counter.

The former is regulated by medical and federal bodies and can only be obtained through a physician's prescription, while the latter, are quicker, but unregulated and are not subject to the same advertising, dosage or labeling requirements as prescription pills, and hence, inspite of being the fastest growing sector of the weight loss industry, are more likely to be unsafe.

The good news, however, is that Apidex, a popular weight loss pill is a safe bet, and for all the right reasons. It stands as the most popular form of the brand name Phentermine at present. Each Apidex tablet contains about 37.5 milligrams of Phentermine. Depending on your weight loss goal and your medical history, your dose may vary.

It works as an appetite suppressant, i.e., it stimulates your hypothalamus gland, thereby affecting certain neurotransmitters that ultimately reduce your appetite. Having said all that, there are of course some very important considerations before starting with a course of Apidex. As has been quoted time and again, the reported side effects include nervousness, difficulty in sleeping, dry mouth, restlessness etc.

If on an overdose of Apidex on a long term, it could have pretty adverse effects on your cardiovascular system as well. Also, alcohol may increase the effect of dizziness that the drug may induce. If all the considerations are kept in mind, and your physician consulted from time to time, this drug has done wonders on millions wanting to take on a short-term antidote for obesity.

Apidex, a drug that is fast catching up in the weight loss industry owing to its multiple benefits and a rate that doesn't really empty your pockets. Safe and cheap, Apidex has found favor among millions of weight watchers all over the world. So go ahead and buy Apidex, readily available online for attractive rates!

About the Author:
Stuart William is an associate editor to the website http://www.phenterminehome.com. The website offers complete Phentermine information through breaking news, personal views, and articles on weight loss. We also provide requisite information about the numerous weight loss pills such as Phentermine. So feed back comment and suggestions will be highly appreciated at wilstuart@gmail.com
Added: 12 Aug 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/33895.html

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Low Carb Diet - Eat More, Not Less

When on a low carb diet eating more is better!

A good low carb diet can actually have you eating more food than you're eating right now.

Think about it, when most people want to lose weight what's the first thing they do? They tend to stop eating or cut way back on their food intake.

Well my friends I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way.

A healthy diet should consist of eating less of the foods that contain calories from simple carbohydrates (sugar and processed flour) and more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and good sources of protein. This is the basis of a good low carb diet plan.

In fact, a good diet should have you eating more instead of less! Not more food, but more often in smaller portions.

Your body's a truly wonderful machine geared towards one important goal. Survival. When you cut way back on your food intake your body feels threatened and automatically assumes that you're starving.

This built in survival mechanism dates back to the stone age and is simply nature's way of keeping you alive for as long as possible. Long enough to get to your next meal.

To combat this condition the body will start breaking down muscle tissue to use as energy and saves its fat stores for the last ditch effort to save itself from what it thinks is immanent death. Fat is just that, a storage material.

This is not good because first, by using muscle tissue for energy you're losing precious lean mass which is metabolically active. This means that you need energy to support muscle which helps to keep your metabolism running at a higher pace. Higher metabolism means more calories burned even in a resting state.

Fat, on the other hand, doesn't need any energy to support it. It's simply "dead" weight.

Secondly, the body will start storing more fat because it's preparing itself for the worst. Your survival is your body's most important concern so it'll do whatever it can to stay alive.

So what can you do if you want to eat less without starving yourself and sending your body into this defense mode?

Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.

This works on two levels.

By eating more often you won't get hungry as quickly and your metabolism will stay raised because you'll be digesting food more often. Digesting food uses calories just like any other physical activity.

So here's a simple low carb diet plan that anyone can follow. Eat four or five small meals a day, each consisting of a small portion of protein along with some fresh fruits and veggies.

Try to eat every three hours or so to keep your metabolism and energy up. This'll help you stay away from those snacking binges too.

Also, drink lots of water. Water will help to cleanse your body and make you feel full.

So you see, with a little planning and by adhering to a low carb diet plan eating more can actually be better!

About the Author:
Michael J. Harris is an avid weight lifter and adheres to a low carb diet plan as part of his routine. To find out more about how a low carb diet can help you visit his low carb diet blog.
Submitted on 2006-11-10
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Do Energy Drinks Really Give You Energy, or Just a Fat Stomach

I receive a ton of questions about all of these new "energy" drinks that have hit the market over the last few years. They seem to be all the rage, especially with the youth, and they promise you the world with outrageous claims of all of the super energy that you are going to have, and how you'll be crushing the competition in your sport, and so on.

So a couple questions arise:

Are these "energy" drinks really any good for you?

Do they actually increase your energy?

Do they really have some sort of magical energy formula?

Will they help you lose weight?

First of all, let's look at what most of these energy drinks are usually made of. Most of them are simply carbonated water loaded with gut-fattening high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, the amino acid taurine, and a few random B-vitamins thrown in for show to trick you into thinking there's something healthy about these concoctions.

Let's start with the high fructose corn syrup. Well, here we've got empty calories that will go straight to your belly fat, and that are actually even WORSE for you than plain old refined sugar.

Ok, so you say that they have low-sugar or sugar-free varieties as an alternative to the HFCS-laden energy drinks. Yes, but now you have the problem of the harmful chemicals in the artificial sweeteners.

Another problem with artificial sweeteners is that there are some researchers that believe artificial sweetener use leads people to inadvertently consume more calories and gain more weight in the long run. I won't go into the details on that because that would fill up an entire discussion by itself. Just trust me that artificial sweeteners and artificial chemicals in food in general, are all bad news for your body!

What about the caffeine? Well, first of all, caffeine in itself doesn't provide "energy". Technically, the only substances that actually provide energy are calories (from carbs, protein, and fat).

However, caffeine can be an aid for livening or waking some people up, by means of stimulating the central nervous system. Keep in mind though, if you're a regular coffee drinker, you're probably addicted to caffeine and probably wouldn't receive too much benefit from the caffeine in an energy drink anyway.

Besides, instead of caffeine added to some carbonated drink, I'd rather get my caffeine from a natural source like green, white, or oolong teas, which actually provide healthful antioxidants too!

Now what about that so called magical blend of taurine and B-vitamins that they load into these energy drinks? Well, big deal...you can get taurine in almost any protein source. And the vast majority of those B-vitamins are simply coming right out into the toilet in your pee. Vitamins are best obtained naturally from real food sources, not artificially added to some carbonated drink. Your body just doesn't use fake sources of vitamins as readily as natural sources from real food.

So as you can see, in my opinion, I give all of these energy drinks a big time THUMBS DOWN! You're better off mixing up your own homemade energy drink with some iced unsweetened green, white, and oolong teas, a little bit of 100% pure berry or pomegranate juice, and maybe a touch of a non-denatured whey protein.

Well, I hope this article cleared up some of the confusion about these energy drinks that are being so heavily marketed these days, and will help you make more informed decisions for your health.

About the Author:
Mike Geary
Check out Mike's Truth about 6-Pack Abdominals Program at TruthAboutAbs.com Michael Geary (CPT) is a recognized International Fitness Expert, contributing writer for Muscle & Fitness Magazine, author of the internationally-selling book, The Truth about Six-Pack Abs ©2004-2006, and owner of Fitness for Busy Men at BusyManFitness.com. Also see Mike's Six-Pack Abdominals blog
Article Source: http://www.articlesnetwork.com/

Monday, February 05, 2007

Low-Carb High Protein Diets

This type of diet became very popular as of recently due to the promotion of the ever-popular Atkins Diet Craze. This diet is very popular because there is no calorie counting involved, and many foods that many people love to eat are allowed on the diet. Further, the Atkins diet is a high-protein diet, which means that weight lost during this diet will not result in lost muscle mass, since protein is the main nutrient needed for maintaining healthy muscle tone. This diet basically eliminates carbohydrates, which are simple sugars or foods that break down into simple sugars. These serve as empty calories in your diet, providing no nutrients yet many calories.

While we wonÕt cover the Atkins diet here, we can give you basics of the high-protein, low-carb diet. First let us identify carbohydrates. Sugar, including powdered sugar, granulated white sugar, brown sugar, or any type of sugar you can think of, is the main carbohydrate that you would need to eliminate. All types of pastas count as carbohydrates, meaning all noodle and spaghetti products must be eliminated. Starches of any type, such as white rice, potatoes and potato chips, need to be eliminated. Cereals are mostly carbohydrates and should be avoided entirely during the diet phase. Because of the low-carb craze, there are many low-carb options of sodas, milk, ice cream, bread, beer, and wine available in the average supermarket. If you do consume these, be sure to do so only occasionally and in moderation, even if it is a low-carb type. Otherwise, the aforementioned foods should be eliminated entirely when not of the low-carb type. Beware of foods that contain hidden sugars, like bacon, barbeque sauce, ketchup, salad dressing, cough syrup, and fruit juice. As strange as it may seem, fruits and fruit juices should be eliminated while in the weight loss phase of this diet, as they are nearly pure carbohydrates. Anything made with flour needs to be eliminated during the weight loss phase, since as mentioned earlier they are high in carbohydrates.

Now what can you eat? Well, the good news is that you can eat all meats, fish, poultry and seafood, except prepared meats like bacon and honey baked ham, which are high in sugar. Skip the bread and have meat and salad, or meat in your salad. Eggs are very low-carb friendly, but be sure to skip the mayonnaise or salad dressing unless it is low-carb type mayonnaise or dressing. Any type of vegetable is fine, but be sure to realize that when making that salad that tomatoes are actually a fruit, and you want to limit your consumption of them at least during the weight loss phase. Choose brown rice as your starch replacement, as it is low in carbohydrates comparatively to potatoes, bread or white rice. Cheese is good in limited amounts, as this is a high-protein, low-carb food. Butter and cream can be used, but should be consumed in limited amounts. One complex carbohydrate that is good is fiber, as it does not break down into simple sugar, and helps the body with elimination. Further, fiber fills you up quickly without adding significant calories, so hunger pangs are fought off successfully.

Finally, make sure you are drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day minimum in addition to any other liquid you may consume. Dehydration often masquerades as hunger and causes overeating. Of course, again exercise is a necessary and vital part of your diet plan, which we will cover in the next section on exercise.

Once you lose the weight that you set out to lose, the weight loss phase of your diet is over. Of course keep in mind that you are making lifestyle changes, not going on fad or binge diets. This means that you will not go back to your old eating habits. Instead you will introduce certain foods back into your diet in moderation. For example, you may add a couple of strips of bacon once a week to your meal plan. You can enjoy small portions of deserts of any kind, simply in moderation. It is best to avoid soft drinks all together, or opt for the low-carb type permanently. If you do introduce any other carbohydrate-laden foods, be sure to do so only at one meal, and in small portions. Reducing carbohydrates will become a lifestyle to you when following this plan, one is very likely to boost your overall energy level and help you keep the weight off.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.
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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Finding a Weight Loss Program

Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for a beginner. It can also be hard to know where to start. There are several questions that you can ask yourself, which will guide you towards the right weight loss program.

- What am I trying to achieve by joining a weight loss program? (Goals)

- What type of program will work with my schedule?

- Is their a certain type of program that will work best for my body type?

- What have other people tried and had success with?

- Do I have any friends that are interested in doing this with me?

- How much am I willing to spend on a program?

- How much am I willing to Risk?

- Am I interested in a Diet program? A exercise program? Both?

- What is my timeline?

- How fast am I wanting to reach my goal weight?

These questions are meant to bring out ideas and really get you thinking about what type of weight loss program will be right for you. Once you have taken time to reflect on these questions for yourself I recommend talking to a professional to further help guide you into the right program. You might be able to do this simply through a family doctor, or even your local gym club.
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About the Author:
Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Programs Area. Which is a great web directory and information center for all types of programs from Weight Loss to Computers.
Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.
Added: Sat May 21 2005
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Are You Still Following Your New Years Resolution To Lose Weight?

One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is “to lose weight, and get in shape”. However within a few weeks an overwhelming majority of people are right back where they started eating foods that aren’t healthy and not exercising. So why do so many people start out with good intentions and fail?

Most people focus on short term goals and instant gratification. They want to lose weight but aren’t committed to making the lifestyle changes necessary to lead a healthier life. Let’s be honest that chocolate covered doughnut with sprinkles certainly tastes better than a bowl of oatmeal, and who wouldn’t want to eat something that tastes better. Truth is unless you are training for an athletic event its ok to have a chocolate doughnut from time to time. The key is not to have a chocolate doughnut every morning. Realize that there are some foods that just aren’t healthy and you should only be eating them on a limited basis and in moderation.

The second part of getting in shape and losing weight is exercise. Again people start out with the best intentions I’m going to run 5 miles every day. However if you haven’t run a mile in more years than you care to admit, this is a recipe for failure. Set moderate and obtainable goals for yourself. First start out with walking one mile. After a few weeks start walking for two miles, then three. Once you can comfortably walk the 5 miles, start walking four and half miles and run for a half mile. Keep up adding to the length you run and subtracting from the length you walk. It may take 6 months or more for you get to that stage, and that’s ok. It’s not important that you succeed quickly, just that you succeed.

One of the biggest reasons people give up weight loss resolutions is temporary defeat. Maybe they went on a vacation and gained a few pounds, or they had some big projects for work and haven’t exercised for a week or two, and what’s the point in starting back up again. When you start down the road to a healthier lifestyle realize there will be bumps and even a few dead ends on the way. Realize its ok to make a mistake as long as you get back on the right path again, and try not to repeat the same mistakes you did last time.

© Copyright.Fitness-Infomercial.com, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author:
Sarah Verneke is the Webmaster at www.fitness-infomercial.com/ a review site for diet and fitness programs.
Article Source: http://www.freearticlesdirectory.com

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Trimspa - Weight Loss Miracle or Misrepresented?

If you want to loose weight you have likely already heard the praise being given to the latest in natural cures - Hoodia Gordonii. So, is it as good as they say? How does it work? And most importantly - will it help you loose weight?

STUDY SHOWED HUNGER PAINS TURNED OFF

The most frequently reported study to promote Hoodia Gordonii - an active ingredient in Trimspa, as a weight loss supplement was conducted with obese individuals who were given Hoodia Gordonii and left in a room with little to distract them except TV, reading and eating. This group consumed on average 1000 less calories a day than the control group given a placebo.

The active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii appears to tell the brain that the stomach is full. No hunger pains could mean less eating, which would naturally cause a loss of weight.

AFRICAN BUSHMAN USED HOODIA TO STAVE OFF HUNGER FOR LONG TRIPS

Most of this information comes straight from the Trimspa pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.

Hoodia Gordonii is an African cactus that grows naturally only in the Kalahari desert. For thousands of years the bushman of this region have eaten Hoodia Gordonii with no apparent ill side effects, like the racing heart experience of Ephedra or other supplements.

In fact, the only known side effect seems to be an overall good feeling. However, the bushman used the Hoodia Gordonii sparingly and further studies are required to examine the possible side effects of regular doses over a long period of time.

WILL THE HOODIA GORDONII HELP YOU LOOSE WEIGHT?

The molecule that has been linked to the appetite suppressing abilities of Hoodia Gordonii, now called P.57, appears to affect both humans and animals. One study showed a decrease in appetite by 30-40%. There are documented personal experiences showing the immediate effects of eating Hoodia Gordonii.

It is important to note that the molecule isolated in Hoodia Gordonii does not necessarily affect the appetite when eating high carbohydrate or sugar diets or when hunger is caused by physical exercise. While P.57 can signal to the brain that the body is full, the sugar drops and physical requirement for nourishment can counteract these effects.

As with any weight loss program it is necessary to adapt diet and lifestyle to experience the most profound changes. Suppressing the appetite should not be a replacement for good nutrition and healthy living. It is also important to note that further testing of the safety and effects of Hoodia Gordonii are sure to continue and not all products that are advertised to contain Hoodia Gordonii are prepared equally. The active ingredient in many products is not enough to produce the desired effects and should be chosen wisely.

Of course, it's impossible to put everything about Trimspa into just one article. But you can't deny that you've just added to your understanding about Trimspa, and that's time well spent.

About the Author:
Keith Woolley is the Technical Director of Boots Herbal Stores Ltd.
Boots Herbal Stores distribute Trimspa online from www.trim-spa.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com