Showing posts with label loss weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loss weight. Show all posts

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Cleansing Review: My Experience Losing Weight Through Cleansing

I never would have guessed that I'd lose 31 pounds in one summer from a simple cleansing diet. Before that summer I thought cleansing diets were all about colon cleansing or liver cleansing--I didn't know that people were cleansing for weight loss.

I was 30 pounds overweight and had tried a bunch of things to lose the excess pounds: books, pills, special foods and even... exercise! Everything seemed to have some small effect but nothing came close to helping me lose that 30 pounds.

I started researching online, looking for an effective weight loss plan. In the course of my searching, though, I kept running across something that was hard to believe--I saw story after story of people losing 10, 20, 50, even hundreds of pounds on a specific type of cleansing diet.

Now, I'm a very skeptical guy (ask my wife) and normally I doubt claims that sound anything like hype. But I'm also a very logical guy and I figured if so many people were having success with this type of cleansing diet plan then maybe I should check it out.

What the Heck is Cleansing Anyway?

I knew nothing about cleansing diets before I started my first cleanse. It turns out that there are a lot of different cleansing diets out there but the one thing they all tend to have in common is one or two days where you don't eat anything--instead, you drink a cleansing drink throughout the day. The idea isn't that you lose weight from not eating; it's that you're removing toxins from your body which helps you lose fat.

The cleansing system I used included protein shakes, protein supplements (lots of protein to protect against lean muscle loss during the cleanse) and a specially-formulated cleansing drink. The protein shakes and supplements tasted fine. The cleansing drink, however, tasted like a really sweet tea and I don't like sweet tea (my wife thinks I'm weird) so that took some getting used to.

Having never "cleansed" before, I didn't know what to expect. Let's just say the experience was "different". The days when I was taking only the cleansing drink were challenging at first but I soon learned tricks (like drinking ice water) to keep my mind off the fact that I was temporarily on a purely liquid diet.

The Amazing Shrinking Man: 197, 185, 175, 166...

When I first started cleansing, I weighed 197 pounds. If you had asked me at the time what my target weight was, I would have said 185 pounds. That seemed like a lofty goal for me to shoot for since I recalled that I had once weighed 185 pounds in the distant past.

Well, I hit exactly 185 pounds after that first 11-day cleanse. I was astounded that I could safely lose 12 pounds in 11 days. It's probably not that easy for everyone to lose weight, though--luckily, when it comes to weight, i'm an easy "loser".

I figured if cleansing was that easy and the results were that dramatic, why not try it again? So a little less than a month later I did my second 11-day cleanse and lost another 10 pounds. Doing the cleanse the second time around was a lot less intimidating because I knew what to expect.

At this point I weighed 175 pounds but I still had some pudge around my waist. I figured I could lose another 8 pounds so I revised my target weight to 167 which would put me at an even 30 pounds lost.

I did my third cleanse a few weeks after my second and lost 9 pounds. I weighed 166 pounds which meant I had lost a total of 31 pounds with three cleanses. I thought that was very impressive weight loss over just one summer.

Is Cleansing For You?

Around the time of my third cleanse, people I knew noticed the weight I had lost and started asking me what I was doing. I was happy to share with them the experience I had with my cleansing diet and enjoyed helping them out if they wanted to try cleansing to lose weight.

Overall, my impression of cleansing diets for losing weight is very positive as long as they are done right. There are some cleanses like the lemonade cleanse or Master cleanse which I don't recommend because they don't include any nutrients or protein to keep you from losing lean muscle tissue.

Cleansing diets aren't for everyone. They require some will power to get through the cleansing days. If you have no will power you probably won't succeed with a cleansing diet. And, of course, speak to your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program.

If you want to give a cleansing diet a try and your doctor says it's okay then I encourage you to do so--I think you'll like the results!

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Sunday, May 20, 2007

How To Lose Weight From A Low Carbohydrate Diet Plan

With the sudden boom of dieting in the country, different diet programs have been introduced in the country. Although many experts believe that proper exercise and not only diet can lose those pounds in a healthy way, many people still believe in the power of diet programs and diet plans. One of the most controversial kinds of diet plans is the low-carbohydrate diet program, which focuses on the reduction of carbohydrate consumption in the body.

According to the theory, when carbohydrates are no longer being taken in, the body will be forced to use fats and water as alternative sources of energy; thereby helping to shed off those unwanted pounds.

Fats, unbeknownst to many, can actually be converted to energy. The body just doesn't use it as the first priority because it is more complex in structure and therefore, harder to break down and convert into energy. Among the popular low carbohydrate diets in the country is the Atkins diet.

Despite arguments from its critics, low carbohydrate diet has proven its effectiveness in terms of losing that extra weight. To date, it counts millions of followers not only in the country but also outside America.

Actually, cutting down on carbohydrates in the diet is a practice that people have been doing for years. When people cut down on their rice or bread or do not eat rice at all, they are reducing their carbohydrate intake. Of course, because it is not an official diet plan they are not really restricting themselves completely. When you are under a diet plan, you are not allowed to eat any kind of carbohydrates.

One of the advantages of low carbohydrate diet is the fact that it can actually increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This is really good news to people who have a heart problem. This is perhaps the reason why Atkins diet was used for cardio patients. This diet plan can also reduce the amount of triglycerides in the body. Triglycerides can be dangerous when combined with a high level of LDL or bad cholesterol. Both can increase the risk for heart attack and heart disease.

Low carb diet plans are also found to be good in balancing mood swings. They will not be prone to extreme lows such as depression or extreme high. People who are under the program are found to have fairly stable energy levels unlike those with high carbo levels.

LOW CARB DIET 101

Indeed, a lot has been said about various diets and how these work for some people. There' s the Atkins Diet, the South Beach, the After-Six Diet plan and so on goes on the list of diet crazes that swept the western world and even Asian regions. Among all these, one type of diet has become popular than the others it's called the Low Carb Diet.

Basically, low carb diet actually emphasizes cutting down on from a person's daily food intake. This diet allows the dieter to take in all foods except those that have carbohydrates. Although there are many testimonies that prove that low carb diet really works, you must be very knowledgeable first about its pros and cons before deciding to go with the hype.

People who have tried low carb diets say that its advantages include:

1. Faster and quicker weight loss compared to fasting.

2. The diet may result to higher protein intake and absorption.

3. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from diabetics.

Experts say that the disadvantages of low carb diets may include:

- High cholesterol levels due to the lack of protein-rich and fatty foods that has saturated fats.
- Increased blood pressure due to elimination of whole grains products that help lower blood pressure.
- It can lead to osteoporosis because there will be no enough supply of calcium.
- In some cases, this diet can lead to diarrhea, constipation, and severe headaches.
- Low carb diets increase the possibility of lower mental acuity.
- Instead of losing weight, this diet can lead to weight gain.
If you are planning on taking low carb diet, here are some helpful tips to keep you in track:

1. Make sure to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and constipation.

2. Consider taking in more fiber and vitamin supplements.

3. Cease from consuming products that has sugar.

4. Cut down on taking in products that contain caffeine.

5. Monitor your daily carbohydrate intake.

6. Don't mind calories, they are allowed in this diet.

7. Acquire a carbohydrate counter to keep you updated.

8. Do regular physical activities and exercise to reach ketosis easily.

9. Brace yourself for diarrhea that may last for a couple of days.

10. If possible, avoid eating foods that have saturated fats.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Friday, May 18, 2007

Why Herbal Weight Loss Is A Highly Effective And Natural Diet

Before ingesting any herbs as part of a herbal weight loss programme it is important to check they are recognized medically as been safe for human consumption. There are some substances which should not be consumed, as they contain highly toxic properties which are potentially very dangerous for our vital organs.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no magical overnight pill which will shed those stubborn pounds. Having said that, there are a number of organic materials which might be more effective than you would think. Yes, that's right, many dieters across the world have chosen to go with a herbal weight loss programme, to great results. There are certain types of herbs which manage to effectively suppress the appetite and leave the body feeling fuller on less calories. That way, you aren't tempted to eat as much, as so you ultimately lose weight through going about your daily life. Some herbs contain natural stimulants which help keep you active and off that sofa, whilst some suppress the appetite for those who find their sweet tooth so hard to ignore.

Before ingesting any herbs as part of a herbal weight loss programme it is important to check they are recognized medically as been safe for human consumption. There are some substances which should not be consumed, as they contain highly toxic properties which are potentially very dangerous for our vital organs. That aside, herbal weight loss is a proven method of reducing weight quickly, leaving you looking and feeling great, whilst helping rid your body of those unwanted toxins which hinder the immune system.

A good herb for those looking to lose weight is cayenne. If you don't mind the spicy, try cayenne with your meals, which helps speed up the metabolism and increase heart rate safely to get you burning those calories without lifting a finger. Another good herb to try is seaweed, which is great for clearing the toxins in the bloodstream, and is also a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals to help the body remain fit and healthy. Also, why not try green tea as a healthy stimulant with a high vitamin C content to get you up and moving and keep your insides gleaming?

If your looking for particular herbs to avoid, you should pay particular attention to herbal laxatives which can cause serious problems for the bowel and the digestive system if used on a frequent basis. Also avoid ephedra which has been proven to increase blood pressure to a dangerously high level and have a negative impact on the central nervous system.

As long as you take care to avoid dangerous substances, herbal weight loss is a highly effective natural method for slimming down. If you are unsure about what herbs are safe to consume, check online for a brief run down, or consult your physician for more information. He will be capable of explaining the risks and benefits of certain herbs, and will be able to make recommendations based on your general state of health and wellbeing. It is always a good idea to visit your doctor before embarking on any weight loss measures, so this would be a good opportunity to air any concerns you may have, and suppress any anxieties about your weight or the dietary methods you are considering.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

A Dieting Tip To Keep The Weight Off

When my father was told he needed to lose 28lb in two months, it was a real challenge. He did it and when anyone asked for his dieting tip, he said it was very simple. He had one dieting tip and this was it, all the food and drink you really like, don't eat, all the food and drink you don't really like, that is what you eat.

Mind you, he loved all the wrong foods for himself or for most people that is. Unfortunately, food cooked in rendered fat has a flavor that cannot be replaced. If you have never had food cooked in fat then you won't know this flavor, you are one of the fortunate ones. For the foods that used to be cooked in fat, like roast dinners, fried foods etc, these were replaced with grills and roasts on racks, this way the fat drained away and no extra fat needed to be added. i was so young when my Dad needed to lose the weight, that my body cannot tolerate foods cooked in fat of any kind.

Adding salt to food will enahnce the flavor also and salt is considered not good for you either. We do need salt in our diet, but not to excess. Another dieting tips of my Dad's was, don't overdo the salt. If you have some added to the food while it is cooking, then don't add salt to the food before you eat it. So his salt dieting tip was, choose which is the better for you, either while your food is cooking or after but not both, whichever you can get used to, which way is the best for your body.

Another dieting tip from my Dad was to stay away from the puddings. Today what, when he was young, were considered desserts, were rich puddings and pastries. Full cream milk, fresh cream, wonderful pastries and tarts were served with most main meals of the day. Ice cream was homemade and made with real cream. He was brought up on that type of cooking and foods, so it was hard for him to change his eating habits.

Yes, that's right, it is our eating habits we need to change. That was really my Dad's big dieting tip. Change your eating habits and you will never have to diet again. Dieting is not just cutting out the fat and salt from your diet. Many of the low fat and low salt foods that are available today have been compensated in the flavor department by the addition of carbohydrates and sugars. This can be as bad for you as the fat that has been taken out.

There are many diets around, all promising you will lose weight. Many of them you will lose the weight promised but unless you have gained good eating habits using the diet, then the weight will not stay off.

Another excellent dieting tip from my Dad was, see your physician first. Be guided by his advice as to what your healthy weight should be. He will be able to provide you with a calorie chart and how many calories you need to eat each day to lose the weight in a timely and safe manner. you will also find that dieting this way, you will not be hungry and there will be foods that you never would have tried and found you enjoyed eating without dieting.

Eat as little processed foods as you can. Fresh is best, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meats, fish and poultry. Always trim the fat from the meat before you cook it, the same with poultry. Check the carbohydrate content on the labels of everything you buy. Use the low-fat butters, milks and creams if you have a sweet tooth and like desserts.

Above all, get into a healthy eating habit, eat your three meals each day, maybe cut down on the quantity and keep in mind the no-fat, low-fat, check carbs foods rules. If you can eat your main meal in the middle of the day, then that is the best time as your body will burn off any excess during the afternoon activities. You can have your morning and afternoon tea and supper if you wish, just make sure you are sensible about what you eat then.

Well, my Dad's dieting tip became a few dieting tips. He did lose the 28lbs in the two months and through sensible eating, kept it off and felt so much better and I know we had the pleasure of his company for many more years than the medical experts predicted.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

The Sonoma Diet - The New Mediterranean Diet

The Sonoma Diet was a book written by Connie Gutterson. It is one of the most balanced and moderate diets to appear in a long time. There are no dramatic restrictions on food groups, no calorie counting, and has all of the flair of a gourmet Mediterranean diet.

What is the Sonoma?
The Sonoma diet is a uniquely flavorful weight loss plan that brings together the art and science of food. Sonoma is a region in California, USA that is well regarded for its quality vineyards. The author and registered dietitian Connie Gutterson has been consulting with the Olive industry for a number of years. The nutritional credentials she has have enabled her to write a book that provides some of the most balanced and sensible weight loss advice. The Sonoma diet was not born in a lab much like other weight loss programs; in fact, it was born from two of the most agriculturally abundant and vital regions of the world: The coast of the Mediterranean Sea and of course Sonoma Valley California. These two regions share a festive approach to eating - a heart felt love of great food that turns every meal into a celebration of life. These wonderful foods make these areas into a paradise of healthy living and are the heart and soul of the Sonoma Diet. Members of the Sonoma diet experience this joy of eating. There are wide selections of recipes that are essential to Sonoma Diet member's success.

The 3 Waves
Wave 1: lasts for approximately 10 days, and you'll immediately begin eating delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared with healthful foods. A benefit of this wave is that you will be able to eat all of your favorite foods and your online meal planner and recipe database will provide all the options you will need to be satisfied. One of the positive notes is that unlike other diets, this phase does not restrict carbohydrates but does include whole grain cereals and breads.

Wave 2: This wave is the major part of your diet. This here will be the eating plan that you stick with until you reach your target weight. Wave 2 is about variety with a broad range of foods including wine and fruits.

Wave 3: The third wave of the Sonoma Diet begins the day you finally reach your target weight. Once your ideal weight has been reached, this is the life - long maintenance phase where they teach you how to keep the weight off that you lost as well as teach you how to stick with the healthy eating lifestyle.

Portion Control
The secret is enjoying the right foods in the right amounts. If you think about it, that is really the only healthy way to lose weight. Aren't you tired of counting calories, and dealing with severe food restrictions? The main premise of the Sonoma diet is that food should be enjoyed even when dieting. The problem with most weight loss programs out there is that so many teach and cause the dieter to hate and fear food. Sonoma introduced a concept called 'plate and bowl'. All of the meals are assigned a specific plate size, with detailed instructions on how the plate should be filled. I was amazed while reading the book that it provided a wine guide to help select the best matching wine to accompany the meal.

Top 10 Power Foods
It's important to know what the top 10 power foods are. When you start to eat the Sonoma way, you'll be eating this way for the rest of your life. The Sonoma Diet book contains 300 recipes. The on-line program contains an additional 500 recipes. The top 10 power foods are.

* Almonds
* Bell Peppers
* Blueberries
* Broccoli
* Grapes
* Olive oil
* Spinach
* Strawberries
* Tomatoes
* Whole grains

One of the best features of the Sonoma diet is how interactive it truly is. The online program features on-line dietitians, live support, shopping lists, customized meal plans, and message boards. All subscriptions do come with a required fee, and subscribers must pay for a minimum of 5 weeks; however, if at any time you want to cancel your program there is not a cancellation fee. The Sonoma Diet is very popular and comes highly recommended by us and its users. This diet is now in 2007 considered to be in the top 5 diet programs. We at Flex Your Health consider this diet to be in the top 2 of all weight loss programs offered. If you try this program I am sure you will find a new healthier lifestyle with fantastic gourmet meals that will impress even the most sophisticated pallet.

Ready to try the Sonoma Diet and change your life from the regular to sophistication? If so, click the following link to find out all you need to know about the Sonoma Diet and other popular weight loss programs. http://www.flexyourhealth.com/index.html

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=51839

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

It's Time To Get In The Zone Diet

The best advice is to go with something that's safe, and something that is proven to really work, like the In The Zone diet plan. With the In The Zone diet, there are no magic pills, or recipes for success, other than the simple 40:30:30, which ensures a daily balance of all the right foods to keep your body ticking healthily.
The Zone Diet, or the In The Zone diet is a revolutionary new concept in dieting. It holds that you can eat freshly prepared natural foods every day, and snack in balance to lose weight. The concept of balance extends throughout the diet and lifestyle of those following the In the Zone diet, and follows the key ratio of 40:30:30 - that is 40% of every meal or snack is composed of carbohydrates, 30% of proteins and 30% of fats.

This emphasis on protein, which is almost double the average daily of consumption of most, works on similar principles as the Atkin's programme, although is considerably less risky through providing a balance of the other essentials in the diet. The In The Zone diet ratio is backed up by leading institutional research which promotes proteins as the most effective composite in weight loss, and ties in with the idea that a perfect balance between all component parts of a healthy diet is key to losing weight.

It is sometimes hard to know who to believe. There are so many diet plans out there, and so many lifestyle recommendations that are constantly spread across the media and the internet, it's hard to know what actually works. The best advice is to go with something that's safe, and something that is proven to really work, like the In The Zone diet plan. With the In The Zone diet, there are no magic pills, or recipes for success, other than the simple 40:30:30, which ensures a daily balance of all the right foods to keep your body ticking healthily. Not only that, but when combined with exercise, the diet also helps increase muscle mass, and is also very good for the heart and other internal vital organs, so it's advantages all round.

And it doesn't have to be expensive. You can buy the foods in any grocery store, and even shop as normal, so long as every meal is within these proportions. Although there are certain restrictions, and it's not a good idea to continue to load up on chocolate and sugars, as long as you follow the guideline ratio and stick to drinking heaps of water, you'll start to see the effects of safe and healthy weight loss in no time at all.

To see maximum effects, it's good to combine this balanced nutritional programme with balanced exercise. Some light to moderate activity will suffice to melt that fat, and provided you stick to the In The Zone diet, you'll definitely see the results. Why not try walking in the park with friends, or a leisurely cycle to work? There are so many cheap and cost effective lifestyle changes you can make to balance your health and your diet, and you don't have to fork out big bucks for the latest fad or for any exercise equipment. Just live your life in a balance, with proportionate exercise to rest, proportionate carbs to fats to proteins, and soon you'll see the effects of your healthier, body-friendly lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Monday, May 7, 2007

The Raw Food Diet

Have you started hearing about the Raw Food Diet? It's gaining popularity and buzz, not just as a diet to lose weight, but a diet for a long and healthy life. We eat so much in the way of processed food that we don't even stop to think about what we're putting into our bodies, and how far we've come nutritionally from our ancestral, agrarian roots.

A raw food diet means consuming food in its natural, unprocessed form. There are several common-sense rationales for why this is a good idea. Processing and cooking food can take so much of the basic nutritional value away. Think of some of the conventional wisdom you've heard about for years, such as: If you cook pasta just to the al dente (or medium) stage, it will have more calories, yes, but it will have more the nutritional value in it than if you cooked it to a well-done stage. Or you probably remember hearing not to peel carrots or potatoes too deeply, because most of the nutrients and values are just under the surface.

The raw food diet means eating unprocessed, uncooked, organic, whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, dried fruits, seaweeds, etc. It means a diet that is at least 75% uncooked! Cooking takes out flavor and nutrition from vegetables and fruits. A raw food diet means eating more the way our ancient ancestors did. Our healthier, more fit ancestors. They cooked very little, and certainly didn't cook or process fruits and vegetables. They ate them RAW. Their water wasn't from a tap; it was natural, spring water. Maybe they drank some coconut milk on occasion.

Doesn't it just make sense that this is how our bodies were meant to eat? It's a way of eating that's in harmony with the planet and in harmony with our own metabolisms. Our bodies were meant to work, and need to work to be efficient. That means exercise, certainly, but it also means eating natural, raw foods that require more energy to digest them.

Why The Raw Food Diet

Because cooking takes so many nutrients and vitamins OUT of food, you automatically start feeding your body what it needs when you stop cooking food and start eating uncooked, nutrient-rich foods. A raw carrot has exponentially more nutrition than a cooked carrot.

Cooking also alters the chemistry of foods, often making them harder to digest. Why do we have so many digestive problems in this country? Because we're putting foods into our bodies in a form that we weren't designed to absorb. High fiber, high water content fresh produce abolishes constipation of the bowels, cells and circulatory system. Obstructions are cleared and blood flow increases to each and every cell in the body. Enhanced blood flow is significant for two reasons: as mentioned above, blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to living cells, and carries away their toxic metabolites.

Obesity is endemic in this country. The diet industry is more profitable than the oil companies. Why? Because the way we eat and prepare our food practically guarantees that we'll overeat. Psychologists tell us that we overeat because our souls are hungry. But in reality, our bodies are hungry, even though we may feel full. When you start giving your body the nutrients it craves, overeating will cease.

Eating raw foods is a boost to your metabolism as well. It takes a little more energy to digest raw foods, but it's a healthy process. Rather than spending energy to rid itself of toxins produced by cooking food, the body uses its energy to feed every cell, sending vitamins, fluids, enzymes and oxygen to make your body the efficient machine it was intended to be.

You'll naturally stop overeating, because your body and brain will no longer be starving for the nutrients they need. A starving brain will trigger the thoughts that make you overeat. The brain and the rest of your body don't need quantity; they need quality.

Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Sunday, May 6, 2007

All about Abs Diet

Going through diet after diet, sooner or later everybody ends up thinking that there's nothing more to learn. Frankly, it doesn't take long to get exhaustive hands on experience with just about all the major dieting concepts and to learn in which way each of them is supposed to influence the body. And once you're familiar with all the pros and cons of dieting, it's only fair to think that nothing could surprise you anymore. Well, this is where the Abs Diet comes in with a rather strange take on the old concept of losing weight through exercises. And, no, there are no magic pills to swallow.

The basic idea is much simpler than that. It goes something like this: the body has to expend energy in order to keep the muscles and internal organs alive and in shape. This means that every addition to the muscle mass will force the body to spend more energy. Therefore, instead of lowering the daily food intake in order to lose weight, this diet focuses on increasing the "energy bill" above the normal level. The extra muscle mass is supposed to absorb all the calories that would otherwise be stored as fat and also force the body to burn existing fat in order to keep up with the effort.

Every 1 pound of muscle added to the body costs the body 50 calories per day on top of everything else. It's pretty easy to see that 10 pounds of muscle are going to keep busy 500 calories of your daily intake every single day. This is enough to make you lose 1 pound per week, which is not bad at all. It's interesting to notice that the diet is based on achieving a snowball effect: the more you exercise, the more muscle you put on; the more muscle you put on, the faster you lose weight, which allows you to exercise harder and lose even more weight. Once you get the snowball rolling it will turn into an avalanche on its own.

The food users are allowed to eat consists of 12 nutrient-rich power foods. These are supposed to provide all the minerals, vitamins and fiber your body needs to stay healthy over the six weeks of dieting. The 12 foods are: beans and peas, spinach and a couple of other green vegetables, almonds, instant hot oat cereal, wholegrain breads and cereals, berries, eggs, low-fat dairy products, lean meats (such as turkey), peanut butter, olive oil and protein powder. All other foods are to be shunned during the diet.

Sticking to this diet might seem a little hard, especially for as long as six weeks. However, the mandatory exercises should make a big difference. Not only that you lose weight, but you also get to show off a nice set of abs and a far better toned body than before. One extra thing on your side is that part of the fat will be replaced by muscle, so even if it seems that you're not losing much weight, you're actually shifting weight from fat to muscle. Nevertheless, you can expect to get rid of up to 12 pounds in the first two weeks of dieting.

Best Diet - 3 Key Features Your Diet MUST Have For Weight Loss Success

In order to have rapid weight loss success, you have to find the best diet for you. Planning is critical to your success. Choose your diet with these 3 key features in mind and you're already halfway to your weight loss dreams.
So you've made the resolution that THIS is the year you're going to lose weight and get in the best shape of your life. You're not going to settle for second best - you're going to achieve that dream body you've always wanted.

Great news - this is actually the best time to make that commitment. Why? Because you can take advantage of the powerful momentum and energy a New Year brings to achieve your weight loss dreams.

But there's nothing worse than committing to lose weight, only to get lost among the 5 gazillion diets out there. It can get confusing - you may end up wasting a lot of money and effort. You may end up wondering which diet is really the BEST diet for you.

In order to have rapid weight loss success, you have to find the best diet for you (a.k.a. the diet that will speed you towards your dream body at lightning pace). There are millions of diets - but only a few that are best for you and your lifestyle.

The best diet for you will have the 3 key features listed below. Choose your diet with these 3 key features in mind and you're already halfway to your weight loss dreams.

#1 Proven Success Rate

Are there before and after pictures of people who have lost weight with that particular diet? Are there customer testimonials? Have there been independent studies done on the diet's success rate?

The diet you choose doesn't have to have all three of these but try to find at least some kind of proven success rate before choosing that particular program.

Finding a diet with a proven success rate not only lets you know that the diet works but it also helps give you the confidence that the diet will work FOR YOU.

Confidence is one of the most underrated factors in a successful weight loss program. If you've tried and failed with diets before you especially need that extra boost of confidence to carry you through the more difficult times in the diet. By reminding yourself that this diet has been proven to work - you'll be able to keep going and reach your weight loss goals.

A related feature that gets extra points is if the diet has been recommended by an expert or a physician. Again this boosts your confidence that the diet is safe and effective.

#2 Affordable.

Losing weight should not cost you thousands of dollars (unless we're talking about surgery here and that's an entirely different article). The best diet will be affordable for the average person.

If the diet costs too much, be very suspicious and look elsewhere. There are too many shady diets out there and as a consumer, it pays to be cautious.

I'll give you an example of what I mean:

A close friend of mine went to a well-known weight loss clinic in our area and was told she had to pay the yearly fees up front (around $1000 NOT including food). They also told her she had to buy their food in bulk (like $500 for a year's worth of chocolate). When the chocolate gave her heart palpitations and she had to take it back, they told her it was non-refundable. She was out the money for the chocolate. Plus, she feels she can't leave the program because she's paid the yearly fees (which, you guessed it, are also non-refundable).

She unfortunately made the mistake of ignoring her instincts and paying way too much money for a diet program. If you notice you're being asked for hefty fees right out of the gate, warning lights should be flashing in your mind.

Now on the other hand, the best diet WILL cost you something. It actually is better if you put some cash on the table for your diet program. Why? Because when we invest in something we're more likely to stick with it. When we invest in something we are more likely to follow through and get the results we want.

For example I did a liver detox several months ago. I'm not really into liver detoxing but I read an article and figured I'd try it.

The detox kit cost me a whopping $50 and when I opened the instructions they told me I had to give up junk food for two weeks. In any other universe I would have laughed and simply forgotten about detoxing my liver. But because I'd shelled out $50, I was invested - I decided that I hopefully wouldn't starve from lack of junk food over two weeks and suffered through it.

If I'd gotten the detox kit for free there's no way I would have followed those instructions. But because I was invested, I followed through and now have a healthier liver thanking me for it.

So when searching for the best diet, putting out some money on yourself and your dreams of a better body is actually a healthy thing. Just keep in mind that you shouldn't have to spend thousands of dollars on it.

#3 Compatible with Your Tastes and Lifestyle

This is THE most crucial step however it's the one where most people go wrong. When choosing a diet, they simply pick one and go, without considering if it is compatible with their tastes and lifestyle.

For example, if you hate feeling deprived or empty you might want to choose a program that lets you eat many times during the day so you don't feel hungry. If you get bored easily you want a diet program that gives you tremendous variety and flexibility. If you don't do a lot of cooking or food preparation, you'll want to look at a program where the food is pre-made for you.

Diets are like cars - there are hundreds of different models out there, each with their own unique features. And they can get you where you want to go. But your personality might fit better with certain features than others.

Dieting is hard enough. Don't make it harder on yourself by choosing a diet not compatible with who you are. Setting yourself up for success will also guarantee that you'll stick it out until you reach your goal.

And one other thing, the best diet will be one that you can get excited about. Choose a diet that you enjoy, that you believe in, that may actually be - gulp - fun.

Emotional excitement will fade in time, yes. But it can give you enough of an emotional push to get you over the initial hump. By that time your first few pounds will have come off and will serve as your continuing motivation.

So those are 3 key considerations when looking for the best diet. Keep them in mind and you will progress in leaps and bounds towards your dream body. Remember, planning now may seem boring - but it's the key to your future weight loss success.

Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Five Quick Ways to Start Losing Weight Fast

Some people find it hard to stick to diets and consistently fail to lose weight. They try nearly every kind of new dieting idea that comes along hoping that one of them would finally work, but the miracle never happens. Naturally, these people tend to overlook their own mistakes and fail to understand what prevents them from losing weight. The human brain displays a remarkable ability of ignoring the things it does not want to face, so it's not hard to understand why some people eat all manner of things and still claim they haven't touched anything but salad for a whole week.

But there are ways of working around these problems and if you don't want to become one of these people, then you should stick to these pointers. Their purpose is to make eating a conscious act in order to avoid giving in to compulsions and temptations. The easiest thing to do is to carry around a notebook and a pen and to write down everything you eat. And I mean every little thing. Have you finished that half a slice of pizza that your partner couldn't eat anymore? Write it down. At the end of the day look over the list and you'll be surprised at how many things you actually eat on a regular basis.

Since eating and drinking are, for the most part, acts that bypass rational thinking you should try to bring them out of the twilight zone. So every time you reach out for a drink or some food, stop and ask yourself "Why am I doing this?". You may be thirsty, hungry, bored, lonely, depressed, tired or stressed, but out of this list of reasons only thirst and hunger are legitimate. Put the bottle down if you're not thirsty. Put the food back on the shelf or on the table if you're not hungry. Do you crave sweets because you're tired? Get some sleep instead. Do you feel the need to eat because you're lonely and depressed? Go to the cinema or visit a friend. Read a book, watch a movie or listen to some music. There are options.

Never starve yourself. This is one of the big mistakes in dieting. Unless you have enough willpower to qualify for Nietzsche's Overman status you will break down sooner or later and eat the first thing that you can get your hands on. Such as snacks or fast food. Starvation also makes the body go into power save mode by limiting your energy levels and hanging on to the existing fat. The body makes no difference between dieting and actual starvation and will behave as if in danger. Therefore you must eat three meals a day, plus snacks consisting of fruit and vegetables. This is the best way to lose weight.

Don't try to banish your favorite foods completely because you will only sap your own willingness to stick to a diet. The key to dieting is moderation, not denial. Do you like ice cream? Well, have a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream every Sunday. Take a break from whatever it is you're doing and enjoy this special treat. Don't feel like you're cheating on the diet and keep any guilt pangs away. You're just dieting, not preparing for admission to a convent or monastery. So have a bit of forbidden food every five days or so and enjoy the moment.

And, of course, you must exercise. If you're not used to exercising and are a bit scared of all the effort and sweating, then start small. There's no need to rush into hour-long training sessions. Five minutes per day will do for starters. Get a treadmill and a pair of dumbbells and make your own schedule. Two minutes and a half of running and two minutes and half of curls. Every week increase the time spent exercising by another five minutes and add new exercises. Your goal should be to spend at least 30 minutes every day working out your body. Sixty minutes is even better, but it will come in time. It's OK to start small.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

The Mediterranean Diet - Lose Weight without Sacrificing Taste!

There’s a popular book out right now that explores the reasons why ‘French women don’t get fat’. It’s certainly not for lack of eating delicious food! The same might be said for the Mediterranean diet – the traditional foods that are prepared and eaten around the Mediterranean region of Europe.
There’s a popular book out right now that explores the reasons why ‘French women don’t get fat’. It’s certainly not for lack of eating delicious food! The same might be said for the Mediterranean diet – the traditional foods that are prepared and eaten around the Mediterranean region of Europe. The people there may not be model-skinny, but here are few if any seriously overweight people who live the traditional lifestyle and eat traditional Mediterranean foods.

It all comes down to great tasting, natural food. Forget what you think you know about Italian cuisine, for a start –yes, pizza and pasta do figure heavily in some regions of Italy, but not in the Mediterranean region. By the sea, people subsist on what they can catch from the sea and grow in their gardens. The result is natural, delicious food that is a pleasure to prepare and an even greater pleasure to eat.

Of course, we all naturally think of tomatoes – and it’s a fact that tomatoes grown in the Mediterranean sun are far superior to any that we might find elsewhere in the world. The Mediterranean basin is the home of the tomato, and the place where it grows best. But that’s just the beginning. There are a variety of other vegetables that the Mediterranean kitchen abounds with, and many of them happen to be dark green, red or orange in color. Believe it or not, that does matter – quite a bit, in fact. Studies have shown that dark green, red and orange vegetables have a higher concentration of anti-oxidants, making them powerful cancer fighters. Also, these tend to be more flavorful and satisfying than many other vegetables – especially when prepared according to Mediterranean recipes – and that means that you are more likely to fill up on vegetables. And that, of course, is one of the best things you can possibly do for maximum weight loss.

Meat is part of the diet, but it’s served rather sparingly. Fish is much more common, given that the Mediterranean life is oriented around the sea. Fish are grilled, or prepared as part of various cooked dishes that also contain vegetables. Forget the batter-covered English style fish and chips, though – Europeans living in the Mediterranean regions have much better things to do with their fish, with greatly superior results! Fish is often quite low in fat, as well as being an excellent source of protein. Even when the fat content is a little higher, however, don’t worry – fat that comes from fish is ‘good’ fat, healthy for your heart and bones.

Speaking of ‘good’ fat, you can’t get much better than olive oil for cooking, drizzling on salads, or as a condiment of sorts. Olive oil has none of the harmful effects that some oils have when they are heated – it’s a good, clean oil that adds flavor, and if you’re using good quality olive oil, a little goes a long way! Try to buy cold pressed extra virgin olive oil from Italy, Greece or Spain, or maybe from a lesser known olive oil producer such as Croatia or Albania. In all of these countries, olive groves that are sometimes up to a thousand years old continue to produce olives for eating and oil production. Olives and olive oil are as much a part of the culture as any other aspect of Mediterranean cuisine.

As you can see, the Mediterranean diet is not necessarily a low calorie one, though it certainly can be – you can adjust the calorie content without sacrificing taste, because natural ingredients make up so much of the diet. If you are interested in eating healthily but not necessarily in losing weight, you can add in some of the ‘extras’ – red wine, some cheese and home baked bread, or the occasional dessert. Even without those extras, though, the Mediterranean diet is easy to follow and stick to because it simply tastes great.

Assuming that you are not living in a Mediterranean country (in which case you would probably be eating like this already), find a quality source of tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables in your community. Try to find Greek or Italian grocery store, too, for more obscure ingredients. The Mediterranean diet is good eating for life, as well as being relatively easy and fun to follow.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Friday, April 20, 2007

Weight Loss Diets: Fact And Fiction

The weight loss industry is a booming industry worth billions of dollars annually. It therefore should be no surprise that we are constantly being bombarded with new 'miracle' products and weight loss programs that will shed the pounds quickly and without much effort. Navigating the plethora of dieting information to distinguish between fact and fiction can be difficult, but it is certainly not impossible.

A good starting place to discover the truth is actually to uncover the fiction. Once we know what isn't true, we can concentrate on genuine information that supports weight loss.

Here are four of the most common weight loss myths:

Skipping Meals Will Help You Lose Weight

The idea behind this is that if you eat less food, you will automatically lose weight. While on the surface this sounds like it should work, it doesn't take into account the body's metabolic response to what it sees as starvation. It slows right down to give you the best chance of survival. This means that you burn fewer calories. The truth of the matter is, eating more often but smaller healthy meals raises the metabolic rate and aids weight loss.

You Can Eat What You Want As Long As You Exercise

You have to do an awful lot of exercise to burn off a chocolate bar. The value of exercise is not so much that it burns calories (although that certainly helps), it is that it raises the metabolic rate so that you burn more calories faster all through the day. If you need to lose weight, you cannot eat what you want. You do need to exercise discipline while you shed those extra pounds.

Diet Pills Will Make You Slim

Diet pills do not make you slim. Most diet pills are designed to suppress hunger and it is not eating as much that helps you lose weight. However, diet pills do not control the calories or fat content of the food you do eat, so you might eat less food but still the wrong food. Furthermore, pharmaceutical diet pills have unwanted side effects that can have long term affects on your health. Some natural diet pills such as hoodia gordonii have the advantage of suppressing appetite without side effects, so if you must go down this path, they are the preferred option. Nevertheless, simply eating less will not guarantee weight loss unless the food you are eating is healthy and calorie controlled so that you can lose weight and maintain good health.

Calorie Restriction Is The Best Way To Lose Weight

The Calorie Restriction Diet is a controversial diet founded on the belief that severe calorie restriction slows the aging process. Many people believe that substantial calorie reduction will reduce metabolic stress and in so doing, increase life span. Calorie counting on its own is not good dietary practice. While it is true that counting calories can be very helpful in managing energy intake, the quality of those calories is very important. The nutritional impact of the food eaten is very important and will affect all aspects of health, including weight stabilization.

Now that we have looked at some very common fallacies, let's take a look at some important weight loss facts. These facts can make a huge difference to your ability to achieve your weight loss goals and then maintaining your new weight in a healthy manner.

Weight Loss Takes Time

Genuine, healthy, permanent weight loss takes time. It is a gradual process and it is not going to happen overnight. Extreme weight loss diets that promise quick results do not promote good health and even if the person does lose weight quickly, more often than not, they gain more back than they lost. This manner of dieting actually causes weight gain in the long term.

Weight Loss Requires A Lifestyle Change

The first thing that has to change if you want to lose weight is your diet; not only what you eat, but how much you eat. A lot of people take in more calories every day than they actually use. If this continues over time, a person can gain a lot of weight and yet not appear to be overeating. Effectively, to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you eat. To be healthy in the process, these calories have to have a high nutritional value. Exercise should also be included in this lifestyle change. Exercise will burn calories while you are engaged in it, but more than this, it will raise your metabolic rate so that you burn more calories throughout the day.

You Do Not Necessarily Have To Eat Less

To lose weight, you may not have to eat less food. Many people are overweight, not because they eat too much, but because they eat food high in calories. A person who eats a large heaped plate of salad will consume fewer calories than a person who eats a small bucket of chips. A person who drinks water with their meals will consume fewer calories than someone who drinks a sugary soda. There is also substantial evidence that diet sodas can prevent weight loss and contribute to weight gain, not because of calories but because of the effect of chemicals. This means that calories are not the only consideration in choosing foods. Nutritional value and health benefits need to be primary considerations in order to get the best long term health and weight loss results.

You Should Eat Regularly

It is important to eat regularly for two reasons. Firstly, hunger is the number one enemy of weight loss so it is important to avoid more than mild hunger. If you get too hungry, you can be tempted to just grab anything and totally blow your daily goals. When we fail, it is easy for discouragement to set in which can cause us to give up altogether. Secondly, eating a number of small regular meals throughout the day will increase your metabolic rate so that you burn more calories.

If you avoid the fiction and stick to the facts, then your weight loss journey has every likelihood of success. It is hard to lose weight in our modern world with its fast-paced stressful lifestyle and fast food fixes. That is why we really have to reject this lifestyle to be successful. More than anything, if you want to lose weight you need to change the way you live, not just the amount of food you eat.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Atkins Diet Induction Menu - Eat All The Stakes You Desire And Still Lose Weight

Low carbohydrate diet invented by Dr. Atkins remains to be possibly one of the most popular low carb-high protein diets on the market today. Low carbohydrate Dr. Atkins diet status has helped spark dozens of similar diets who utilize the matching values of low carb, high protein diet. In the present day overweight people have numerous low carbohydrate diets to choose from.

Tests have verified that low carbohydrate eating has countless helpful effects as well as produce sizeable loss of weight with no need to limit calories. People who make use of the high-protein, low-carb diet by Dr.Atkins have been reporting this. Lots of medical studies have shown that high protein diet enhances triclycerides, reduces blood sugar for people with diabetes problem and pre-diabetics and improves good cholesterol (HDL). Low-carb, high-protein dieting has been constantly confirmed to increase insulin sensitivity, cuts down blood pressure and cut blood insulin levels. When we contrast it against low fat diets, protein high dieters also lose not as much of muscle size.

Even though not proven by medicine, there are a lot of diverse positive consequences stated by people using low carb, high protein Dr. Atkins diet. Some of these include more energy, lower appetite for sugar, better focus, better temper and decrease of depression kind of signs.

However there are also a few benefits that are particular to the low carb, high protein Atkins diet. If you have been a low fat dieter before you will like eating all previously not allowed that once you had to go without. Cream, steak and butter are a everyday element of high protein diet devised by Dr. Atkins. You will without a doubt find it very pleasing to once again eat food that you like. People on high-protein, low-carb diet by Dr.Atkins are allowed to eat their full of meat, cheeses and fats and oils.

Diet invented by Dr. Atkins is also easy to apply if balanced against some other high-protein, low-carb diets available today. There are some of basic carbohydrate calculations that you are going to have to learn, but behind that, you are going to be free to eat a meal of any food you want from the acceptable food listing.

Dr. Atkins furthermore highlighted the importance of finding your own personal carb level. Various people have diverse degree of carbohydrate tolerance. While some of us put on pounds with barely 90 grams of carbohydrates a day, other people can live comfortably at 120 carbohydrate grams. For the period of your ongoing dieting phase and pre-maintenance stage of the low carb, high protein Dr. Atkins diet, you are going to find out your personal carb count that is going to help you ascertain your carbohydrate goal for life.

The popularity of high protein diet by Dr.Atkins can in reality make your weight loss much harder then it should be. Since there is a great deal of info offered on the low carb Dr. Atkins diet, which makes it simple to find resources and support, but can also confuse you. There have been lots of Atkins books written and what is more there are scores of internet websites that supply you with tips, group support and information. However more or less everyone you know has heard of diet invented by Dr. Atkins and certainly has his or her own belief on it. You must know that there are many mistaken beliefs around the world about the character of the diet by Dr.Atkins, and you are going to, surely, need to defend your newly discovered way of eating now and then.

Besides that there are also a few of the other downsides to using the high protein, low carb diet invented by Dr. Atkins. You should calculate carbohydrates in your every meal to be assured that you are staying within your personal carb range. Furthermore, there is the matter of Induction, the most hotly debated phase of the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. Induction can often be tricky to go through if you have attempted a diet that concentrates on sugar and carbs. Furthermore, many individuals attempt Induction and by mistake consider that this is the way that the entire diet is going to be. They end up quiting before they even start the genuine diet devised by Dr. Atkins.

Occasionally though if it does not happen often, some individuals will be subjected to a carbohydrate crash usually on the 3rd and up to 5th day of the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. Such sort of reaction is a result of their body entering the ketosis phase or burning fat for fuel as a substitute for carbohydrates. The reaction is passing however numerous people have quitted on low carbohydrate, high protein diets entirely because of this small happenstance.

Taken as a whole, with the several small snags considered, high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet remains to be one of the most used low carbohydrate diets for one good reason. It works. Scores of people have succeeded with the high protein, low carb diet devised by Dr. Atkins and the low carb style of eating.
Toni Rok