Monday, July 31, 2006

weight loss food : Low Carb Diet Foods

Low-carb dieting is not new but has been around for many years, long before low fat diets. Earlier, if you wanted to lose weight you cut out the potatoes, biscuits and pastry, and reduced the bread from your diet. Nowadays, low-fat diets are the norm, but if you take out the fats you lose the flavor. All processed low -at foods have added sugar so a low-fat diet can make you gain weight. This is because the body requires energy, and sugar is the first thing the body uses, if you stop eating sugar the next easiest to transform is carbohydrates. Cut out the carbohydrates, and the body then has to convert the fats.

The first few days of a low-carb diet are probably the hardest, because the body will crave carbohydrates. Most people are unwittingly addicted to carbohydrates, but don't realize this until they try to reduce them. There are certain specific foods which are never allowed when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet. There are those food items which contain white flour and/or sugar (including honey). Grains and breads are restricted, though people who are on a weight-maintenance diet, non-obese diabetics, or those who can tolerate a few additional carbohydrates and still lose weight may eat a limited amount of grain products. Similarly, most fruits are restricted, but some fruit (other than watermelons and bananas) is allowed as long as it does not produce weight gain.

Fiber is an important part of our diet, and supplements of dietary fiber in the form of psyllium husks are advisable. When you are on a low-carb diet it is important to have a high-fat diet. Saturated fats and fats like olive oil, coconut oil, butter, lard, fish oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, peanut oil, and flaxseed oil are advisable.

Low Carb Diets provides detailed information on Low Carb Diet, Low Carb Diet Foods, Low Carb Diet Plans, Best Low Carb Diets and more. Low Carb Diets is affiliated with Low Cholesterol Diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey

weight loss food : Help to Reduce Belly Fat

Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?

If you have excess weight only in specific parts of your body, you still must look at yourself as a whole. It's not possible to spot reduce; in other words, you can't dictate that you only want weight to come off one place or another. In most cases your so called "trouble spots" is where the fat will come off last, so be prepared to lose weight in your fingers (rings fall off) and your face (friends may ask if you're feeling all right) first. There is hope for losing that belly fat though.


Work Toward Building Muscle and Reducing Body Fat

If you work toward building muscle and reducing body fat you will eventually tackle those trouble spots though, and develop a better physique in the process. Muscle tissue is active meaning it requires calories to be maintained. If you were stranded without a food supply, eventually your body would turn to its own muscle tissue as a source of nutrition first (muscles are protein) while saving the fat stores for last. Simply put, fat is nature's way of ensuring survival during times of famine. That's why the prevalence of heart failure kills someone who is severely malnourished. By building more muscle you become a more efficient energy burning machine which translates to mean you can eat more food! That to me is a good thing.


The More Active You Are, The More You Get to Eat!

That explains why some people can eat so much more than others yet not gain weight; your efficient energy burning friend simply has a greater proportion of muscle to fat than you. Muscle is more dense than fat. It's often said that a pound of muscle is heavier than a pound of fat, but the truth is a pound is a pound. What they mean is a one pound volume of muscle is a smaller package than a one pound volume of fat, or put another way, fat is billowy and fluffy while muscle is sleek and compact. Lady No. 1 weighs 120 pounds with 30% body fat so she has 84 pounds of lean tissue and 36 pounds of fat, while Lady No. 2 also weighing 120 pounds but at 18% body fat is carrying roughly 98 pounds of muscle and 22 pounds of fat. Would you rather be Lady No. 1 or Lady No. 2? Which do you think takes up more space, 22 or 36 pounds of fat? I'd say 36 pounds of fat would be a lot bigger package than 22 pounds.


How Much You Weigh is Meaningless

That is why body weight as a number by itself is meaningless, but your ratio of fat to muscle is very important and worth working to change. Strive to decrease your body fat and increase your muscle mass and you'll look better, you'll feel stronger and more energetic and you'll simply be healthier.

You can generally have your body fat tested at fitness centers and most gyms so ask about having it done. It's better to know you have 30% body fat and work to reduce it to 29, than not to know and only think in terms of body weight. Most people who think only of how much they weigh tend to do everything to reduce that weight, and it's usually at the expense of losing more valuable muscle.

The best way to increase muscle and decrease fat is through a consistent exercise program. Start at whatever is your beginning, but do start.

Begin with an overall body conditioning type exercise program, doing whatever you enjoy, whether it be a sport, gardening, weight lifting, biking, hiking, or any other activity. Any physical movement you do regularly counts as exercise even if it is doing laundry or taking out the trash. Get as much as you can out of every chore you do, and stop thinking of it as a chore but instead as an opportunity to move your body.

In the early 1900s a washing machine was a new invention. People used to wash their clothes by hand, and hang them outside to dry. Being a housewife was actually a pretty strenuous job. It's no wonder women were thankful for modern conveniences like automatic washers and dryers, but now we've come to where our daily activities are not taking our bodies at all, so unless we want to get fatter and fatter we must do something about it.


Get Fit and Belly Fat Disappears

It doesn't make sense to drive around and around in the parking lot looking for the closest space when you're on your way to run or walk on the treadmill. Why take the elevator five flights every day at work and then pay a monthly fee to do the StairMaster after work? What if we all started to notice that our world is full of exercise equipment.

We could become so much more fit if we'd just start to notice all the opportunities for physical movement we miss in the name of convenience. Look around and see if you can spot some exercise opportunities, and then get busy and get fit.

~~ Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of the free e-book: Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com

Get The Daily Bites: Inspirational Mini Lessons Using EFT and NLP for Ending the Struggle with Weight Loss.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Martyn,_M.NLP

Thursday, July 27, 2006

weight loss food : Drinking Tea Can Actually Help You Lose Weight

Although experts are divided on exactly how healthy green tea, there is no doubt that it has some health benefits. The following are the ones that have some scientific research behind them.

Firstly, green tea shares all the health benefits that are thought to come from black tea, except in a more effective form, as the tea is fresher. Tea can help reduce your chances of getting heart disease by up to half, as well as fight dental plaque and cavities (although it will also stain your teeth if you don’t make sure to drink plenty of water and brush regularly, so watch out).

Drinking tea also burns more calories than just taking caffeine in pill form, as your body has to cool down the hot drink once it is inside you, and that takes energy. Tea can often burn more calories than it contains, meaning that could potentially help you to lose weight if you drink enough of it.

Strangely enough, tea is also thought to affect the colour of your hair if you drink it in sufficient quantities. Black tea will make your hair darker, while green tea will make it a little redder – it sounds too far-fetched to be true, but many women swear by it, particularly in India.

Unfortunately, there is also no shortage of people willing to claim that green tea will help you with whatever condition is fashionable at the moment. For that reason, read this list with some scepticism – it’s up to you if you want to believe in green tea, or if it makes you personally feel better, but little has been proven scientifically either way. Green tea has been mooted as a cure for cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, cardiovascular disease and HIV. But if it worked, surely we’d all be drinking it by now?

John Gibb is the owner of www.green-tea-guidance.info For more information on green tea check out http://www.green-tea-guidance.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

weight loss food : How To Avoid Mourning The Loss of Food

A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is “How do you deal with the loss of food?”

In the first few weeks out of surgery when patients can only eat is Jell-O or protein shakes or broth patients frequently report grieving for food. After all, food is a beloved friend of the morbidly obese. Now it’s gone and emotional grieving results. The sense of loss is magnified during the post-op healing phase because patients don’t feel well enough to do anything. That leaves time to focus on the foods we loved but are no longer allowed.

How can a patient distract their thoughts from food? Here are a few suggestions to help “newbies” get past this stage!

Read fashion magazines and daydream about your new body in the season’s latest fashions.

Practice accepting compliments graciously so you are ready when the cheers start coming your way.

Read a book about nutrition so you are well informed and ready to take care of your new body.

Visit gyms in your area, meet trainers and consider how you are going to exercise the minute you get released for activity.

Read LivingAfterWLS.com for information & inspiration. (Ok, so I had to plug my own site – SMILING!)

Network with other WLS people and share your common experience.

Begin a journal of your weight loss experience. Be sure to include statistics like weight, BMI and measurements.

Begin your walking program – most patients are instructed to start walking the day after surgery.

Enjoy yourself! This bland phase of eating is the start of your brand new life.

Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com

LivingAfterWLS is a no-nonsense resource for people Living After Weight Loss Surgery. Our community is growing in numbers even as we are shrinking in pounds. Together we support one another in this lifestyle, that it turns out, is NOT the easy way out.

Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often. To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter "You Have Arrived" click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Bailey

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

weight loss food : The Naked Truth about Weight Loss and Fad Diets

Eating less fat and having dietary programs has worsened the weight loss problem because the whole concept was built on wrong philosophy. Eating is thinking. And until flawed thinking is corrected, weight problem will persist.” Uzo Onukwugha

Being over-weight is becoming an epidemic in the United States. Statistics states that 68% of U. S. population is over their ideal body weight. And that 1 in 3 Americans are suffering from clinical obesity. This sad statistics also includes children and teenagers.

Despite the proliferation of low fat foods and endless barrage of fad diets, these statistics seem to be increasing. Individuals and companies come up with new and confusing dietary programs every day. Most of these diets do not work. Examples include Atkin’s diet (has some success), South Beach Diet, ABS diet, Cave Man Diet, Origin diet, and all sorts of diet code. The truth is that even if folks lose weight, 95% of them gain it back in one year.

Oprah Winfrey created news a few years ago when she lost sixty seven pounds and gained back eighty four pounds a year later. She is not alone. I know of a popular preacher who lost weight and even wrote a best-seller, Lay Aside the Weight. The last time I checked, he has gained it back and has stopped talking about how to lose weight. The story is always the same regardless of who is involved. The church world doesn’t eat differently from the rest of the world.

A lady asked me a question a couple of years ago, “Why are all these men of so fat?”

“Food,” I replied. “We don’t teach gluttony as sin. The Scriptures says that if you’re given to appetite, you should put a sword down your throat for a binge.”

I said all this to state that the whole multibillion dollar weight loss industry is built on a wrong foundation. Any house that is built on wrong substructure cannot stand. As long as the prevailing mindset is to lose weight, people will also lose it and gain it back. Most of these diets are unnatural and under tension, people will always go back to what they are used to. The mind is the greatest pattern recognition organ in the universe. And will conform to its original programming even when it will harm you.

I was talking to a former footballer who was complaining to me about his weight gain. He kept on saying to me, “I want to lose weight—I lost sixty pounds before. I can do it again.”

I kept saying to him that weight is not the problem. Yet, he did not seem to get it. Weight gain is the surface rather than the source. If you deal with the source, the surface will disappear. He is not interested in learning how his physiology; neither does he want to know about healthy eating habits. Change the seed. The fruit you’re looking for is in the roots. This is the sad story about many people struggling with over weight.

Blaming fat and cholesterol is not the problem, either. In fact, lack of essential fat can cause weight gain because of accumulation of the wrong fat. Nutrition is an evolving science—a sort of all-comers course. We know that there are the good, the bad and the ugly fat.

The good fats are the essential fatty acids that we must take through the diet because they are necessary for cell membrane and nerve function as well as reproduction. The essential fatty acids are Omega 3, 6 and 9. We should consume more of them in that order. The ratio of Omega 3 and 6 is 1:4. Flax seed (oil) and Salmon Fish are good sources of Omega fatty acids. Udo’s blend has the right combination of all the essential fatty acids in a bottle.

The bad fats are the saturated fats that everybody tends to recognize. These are animal fats from chicken, beef and hog.

The ugly fat is trans-fatty acid that tend to act as free radical and damage the cells. Example her is margarines and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils we find in all sorts of cookies.

I must add that cholesterol is not fat. And it is never found in plants. Animals need cholesterol for procreation. The problem is excess cholesterol. Fats are needed to emulsify and carry cholesterol to the tissues and blood vessels. (Erroneously, they are called cholesterol: High Density Lipoproteins, HDL: Low Density Lipoproteins, LDL; and Very Low Density Lipoproteins, VLDL). HDL is the so called good cholesterol, LDL is the bad cholesterol and VLDL is the very bad cholesterol.

Change your mindset to eating right, exercise and maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle and nature will choose your ideal weight for you. It is a bondage counting calories before you go to bed. Don’t watch your weight; watch your diet and your weight will take care of itself.

Ninety five percent of weight problem is caused by over-eating and eating junk. The body stores junk and excess as toxins in fat tissues if they are not water-soluble. Weight gain is worsened by sedentary life style. (Please don’t embark on any exercise program without proper diet and advice from a professional). It’s surprising that people blame obesity on genetics, stress, sweet tooth, emotional upheaval, diabetes, hypoglycemia, ignorance and indiscipline. These are merely the surface and not the source.

Uzo Onukwugha operates a website that is geared towards changing your paradigm so that you can reprogram your mental software for business success. To learn more, visit http://www.weblinkbusiness.com and subscribe to his newsletter. Reach him with your care and concerns at: uzonukwugha@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Uzo_Onukwugha

weight loss food : Weight Loss Basics

Many people struggle with body image and weight issues at some point in their life. Due to the high number of advertising avenues, fad diets and miracle pills, it is no wonder that most people don't know when or how to approach weight loss. With all of this confusion I think it is time to bring it "back to the basics". The following tips are simple guidelines that you can follow to achieve weight loss and lead a healthier life.

To start any weight loss program you will need to clearly establish and define "realistic" goals. Write down why you want to lose weight, benefits that can result from weight loss and specific changes you are making to your diet. By doing this, you are able to see if the changes you made are contributing towards your weight loss goals. Keep in mind that ½ to 2 pounds of weight loss each week is reasonable.

Before you can reach any goal you have to start somewhere. Start by weighing yourself and creating a food journal for one week. It is important to chart your progress during your weight loss journey. In this food journal keep track of everything you eat and drink as well as how you are feeling at that very moment. This part is crucial because it will reveal eating patterns that may have become habit.

Review your food journal after recording food intake for one week. Look for any patterns in your eating habits and make a commitment to change! For example, you may want to skip the high calorie snacks like brownies or chips and snack on fruits or vegetables instead. If soda is a large contributor to daily caloric intake you may want to switch to diet soda or drink water instead. You should try to drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day; you will find that water is a natural hunger suppressant. The key here is to be consistent and you will see results. Keep in mind that life continually throws obstacles in your way so don't become discouraged if you loose 2 pounds the first week and only 1 pound the second.

Increasing the calories you burn will also aid in weight loss. Start out by taking a walk around the neighborhood and then gradually add intensity. Keep exercise exciting by trying new activities and/or equipment. For example, try swimming as an aerobic exercise instead of walking. Again, you will want to track your exercise activities each day in your weight loss journal.

Setting goals, reducing caloric intake and exercising are the main elements in weight loss. It is also important to eat regularly and not skip meals. When times get tough and you need a little encouragement don't be afraid to ask for support from family and friends. If you need more help or guidance see a dietician or join a weight loss support group. With these tips and a commitment to change you are well on your way to reaching your goals!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Weight Loss

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

weight loss food : The Best Way to Lose Weight

According to the British Nutrition Foundation* "To lose weight, the energy intake from food must be less than the energy output". This is why calorie counting is the most effective weight loss method. It goes straight to the heart of the problem - no fad diets, pills or special eating plans are necessary.

Losing weight through calorie counting is relatively easy. You won't have to put normal life on hold while calorie counting. Added benefits are that calorie counting raises your awareness of what your body needs; educates you about what's in what you eat, and helps you learn how to eat healthily for life.

Starting to Calorie Count
First you'll need to work out how many calories you need each day to maintain your current weight, and how many to lose weight at a rate of 1-2lbs a week. You can do these things by taking a free trial of Weight Loss Resources. It gives you all the tools you need to make calorie counting easy. You can keep online food and exercise diaries, calorie count your own recipes, and find out how many calories you need.

Next you need to keep track of how many calories are in the foods and drinks you consume each day, to make sure you have a negative calorie balance.

You can do this by keeping a food diary and checking the calorie content of what you eat either from a calorie counting book or from the Weight Loss Resources database.

Create your own food diary and access the calorie database now, take a free trial of Weight Loss Resources. We guarantee an enlightening experience!


*British Nutrition Foundation

weight loss food : Fad Free Tools for Healthy Weight Loss

What's Inside
Weight Loss Resources has comprehensive UK and USA online calories and nutrition databases. Calorie, Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, Fibre and alcohol values are given for over 40,000 basic and branded foods.

There's an exercise database that tells you how many calories you've burned doing a wide range of exercise activities.

Online food and exercise diaries enable you to keep track of calories consumed and burned throughout the day. A nutrition profile pie-chart helps you make sure your diet is well-balanced and healthy.

Goal setting facilities show you how many calories you need each day to lose weight at the rate you choose. And when you can expect to reach your weight loss goal.

You can input and calorie count your favourite recipes or search for ideas from a wide range of low calorie recipes in our recipe section.

You can talk to other members in Members Forum. Swap war stories, get support and advice, and make new friends.

There's lots more inside, you can try it free, for three days. Most people find using the food diary a real eye-opener!
How it Works
You simply tap in your height, weight, age and background activity level. The programme works out how many calories you need each day to maintain your current weight.

Then you can set a weight loss goal, either by target weight or target date, and choose a rate of loss between half a pound and two pounds a week.

The computer comes back with how many calories you need each day to reach your weight loss goal, and the date you can expect to achieve it.

You keep online food and exercise diaries. The food diary keeps a running total of the calories you consume in a day, and adds any calories burned in exercise to your daily calorie requirement. The food diary also keeps track of the nutritional balance of your diet, and how many portions of fruit and vegetables you eat, so you can make sure your diet is healthy.

Every time you update your weight (normally once a week), the programme produces reports on your weight and nutrition, and a graph tracking the weight you have lost against your goal.

It takes about two minutes to input your details and start a free trial, and it won't take you very long to see how the programme works or how it could benefit you. Start a Free Trial now, this could well be the breakthrough you have been looking for.

Copyright © 2006 Weight Loss Resources Ltd.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

weight loss food : How Much Fat?

Q: Even though I’m now at my target weight, I rarely eat above 25g fat each day apart from on special occasions. Is it harmful to not eat enough fat?


A: Assuming you’re having around 2,000 calories a day to keep your weight steady, consuming just 25g of fat a day means that only 11% of those calories are coming from fat – and this is actually very low. The Department of Health recommends that no more than a third of calories come from this nutrient, while most weight loss plans rarely recommend less than 20% of calories come from fat.


We all need some fat in our diets. In fact, it’s virtually impossible to have a fat-free diet as most foods, even fruit and veg, provide small amounts of fat. As well as providing the body with a concentrated source of energy, certain components of fat are essential parts of our body cells and are needed to make hormones. Fat also helps to insulate our body and small amounts around the major organs have a protective effect. Several vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) are also fat-soluble and tend to be found in foods with a high fat content. Very low fat intakes mean that intakes of these vitamins, in turn, are often extremely low, too.


Furthermore, two fatty acids – linoleic acid (omega-6s) and linolenic acid (omega-3s) – cannot be made by the body and so must be supplied in the diet. These fatty acids, known as essential fatty acids, are needed in small amounts for many functions in the body such as growth and healthy skin, as well as protecting against certain diseases. Vegetable, nut and seed oils tend to be good sources of omega-6 fats, while oily fish is a great source of omega-3 fats, needed to prevent blood clotting, thereby lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease.


In view of all these beneficial effects, I suggest you slightly increase your intake of fat. To stick within healthy eating guidelines, you should have no more than 70g fat a day if you’re having around 2,000 calories daily. But rather than eating more high-fat foods like crisps, biscuits, cakes and fried food, you should choose foods which contain the right sort of fat and are also packed with nutrients. Good choices include oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout, avocado, olive oil, fresh nuts and seeds. In practical terms, this might mean having an avocado dip for lunch with a wholemeal pitta bread and vegetable crudités, serving a grilled salmon steak for dinner or adding a handful of chopped almonds to your breakfast cereal.

By WLR Dietitian
Juliette Kellow BSc RD

weight loss food : Weight Loss Resources

We've had low carb, low fat, pills & potions, weekly meetings, high fibre and Hollywood diets. Perhaps you've had some short term success with one or more of these diets.

The problem is, specialised and fad diets don't help much when it comes to learning how to manage your weight for life.

Weight Loss Resources provides real calorie and nutritional information. Gives you the facts about what your body actually needs. And puts the tools you need to take control, lose weight and learn how to eat well for life, at your finger tips.
What's Inside
Weight Loss Resources has comprehensive UK and USA online calories and nutrition databases. Calorie, Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, Fibre and alcohol values are given for over 40,000 basic and branded foods.

There's an exercise database that tells you how many calories you've burned doing a wide range of exercise activities.

Online food and exercise diaries enable you to keep track of calories consumed and burned throughout the day. A nutrition profile pie-chart helps you make sure your diet is well-balanced and healthy.

Goal setting facilities show you how many calories you need each day to lose weight at the rate you choose. And when you can expect to reach your weight loss goal.

You can input and calorie count your favourite recipes or search for ideas from a wide range of low calorie recipes in our recipe section.

You can talk to other members in Members Forum. Swap war stories, get support and advice, and make new friends.

There's lots more inside, you can try it free, for three days. Most people find using the food diary a real eye-opener!
How it Works
You simply tap in your height, weight, age and background activity level. The programme works out how many calories you need each day to maintain your current weight.

Then you can set a weight loss goal, either by target weight or target date, and choose a rate of loss between half a pound and two pounds a week.

The computer comes back with how many calories you need each day to reach your weight loss goal, and the date you can expect to achieve it.

You keep online food and exercise diaries. The food diary keeps a running total of the calories you consume in a day, and adds any calories burned in exercise to your daily calorie requirement. The food diary also keeps track of the nutritional balance of your diet, and how many portions of fruit and vegetables you eat, so you can make sure your diet is healthy.

Every time you update your weight (normally once a week), the programme produces reports on your weight and nutrition, and a graph tracking the weight you have lost against your goal.

Copyright © 2006 Weight Loss Resources Ltd.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

weight loss food : 7 Reasons Low Carb Diets are Wrong

The human body is designed to run best on a certain type and balance of fuel. Unfortunately the latest low-carbohydrate fad diets are not fuel that the human body was designed to run on. low - carbohydrate diets can cause several health concerns over time. Here are the top seven.

1. Gout


Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when excessive uric acid levels, start to crystalize in joints, leading to pain and inflamation. Uric acid is a waste product in the liver's metabolism of protein. Excessive amounts of protein may lead to an inability of elimination of uric acid. The FAT LOSS COACH recommends you should not to exceed 1-1.25 grams of protein per lean pound of body weight.


2. Kidney Stones


Kidney stones are hard masses that form in the kidneys when uric acid or calcium oxalate crystalizes and over time form stones. Insoluble fiber found only in carbohydrates reduces the absorption of calcium, which cause urinary calcium levels to drop resulting in prevention of kidney stone's formation. The FAT LOSS COACH program recommends the consumption of 30 or more grams of fiber daily. This is not attainable on low - carbohydrate diets.


3. Constipation and Poor Intestinal Health


To maintain good intestinal health our bodies require thirty or more grams of fiber daily. Fiber is divided into two types soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber is vital in formation of stools and decreases the time process of waste elimination. low carbohydrate diets are too low in insoluble fiber and increase risk of constipation. Poor transit time of waste material increases risk of certain colon cancers. Insoluble fibers prevent the buildup of mucus on intestinal walls which lead to poor absorption of nutrients into the body. low carbohydrate diets are inadequate to maintain good intestinal wall health. The FAT LOSS COACH program uses whole grains, oats, beans, fruits and vegetable which are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. This lowers the risk for constipation, irritable bowel, diverticulitis, crohn's disease, hemorrhoids and colon cancers.


4. Rise in Cholesterol Levels increase Risk Heart Disease


Risk of heart disease increases on a low carbohydrate, low fiber diets. These diets promote excessive amounts of animal protein, cholesterol and saturated fat. Exuberant amounts of protein increase homocysteine, which is a bi product of the amino acid methionine. Many experts believe that high homocysteine levels have many toxic effects which lead to increase risk of heart disease and hardening of arteries. low carbohydrate, low fiber diets reduce the absorption and elimination of digestive bile in the intestines. Digestive bile is produced in the liver from cholesterol. A decrease in digestive bile production raises blood serum cholesterol levels which increases risk of heart disease. Unlike low carbohydrate diets the FAT LOSS COACH promotes nutritional balance providing 30% protein, 50% high fiber carbohydrates, 20% fat.


5. Osteoporosis


Osteoporosis is the reduction of bone density, due to the loss of calcium over long periods of time. Several dietary factors increase the risk of osteoporosis. When dietary protein reaches excessive levels, so does the loss of calcium in the urine. Most studies show that a life - long high protein diet results in an increase of osteoporosis. Poor intestinal health due to low fiber diets cause inadequate absorption of calcium in intestines contributing to poor bone formation. This would suggest that all low carbohydrate diets cannot become a life long lifestyle of eating. This is only one of many reasons why low carbohydrate diets provide poor Long Term Weight Control. Interestingly, a diet too low in protein can also increase risk of osteoporosis. There is no one size fits all when managing our weight. All FAT LOSS COACH programs are customized to the individual providing the right balance of protein, carbohydrate and fat.


6. Loss of Muscle and Reduction of Metabolism


Any diet that applies the restriction of calories less than the body's daily requirements over long periods of time will result in the loss of lean muscle tissue and a decrease in the metabolism. All low carbohydrate diets are focused solely on weight loss. The loss of fat comes at a high cost, which is the loss of lean muscle. The loss of muscle reduces the resting metabolic rate, which is the major cause for rebound weight gain. Research shows 95% of all dieters' will regain that weight back. WE DON'T FAIL AT DIET'S - DIET'S FAIL US! The FAT LOSS COACH is a nutritional breakthrough because of it's three day eating cycle, called the GLYCO - CYCLE. The secret is we don't try to lose fat every day. That would result in losing muscle and reducing metabolism. ( Go to FAT LOSS COACH story to learn how the Glyco - Cycle was discovered ).


7. Poor Exercise Performance and Recovery


Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for your muscles and brain. Eating a low carbohydrate diet prevent proper maintenance of muscle and liver glycogen ( storage form of carbohydrate and water ), decreasing muscle performance and increasing muscle fatigue. ATP is the main source of energy for all muscle contraction. When a muscle is used, a chemical reaction breaks down ATP to produce energy. There is only enough ATP stored in the muscle for a few contractions. More ATP is needed. There are three enzyme systems that can create more ATP. The three sources of ATP for muscle contraction are carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acid proteins. Carbohydrates metabolize efficiently and are therefore used first. If carbohydrates are not available, your muscles metabolize fatty acids and amino acids as secondary sources of ATP. These secondary sources are not efficient, which consequently cause your strength and endurance to drop drastically. The FAT LOSS COACH is customized to your amount of muscle and exercise schedule. It provides 50% of your calories from high fiber, low glycemic ( turn into blood sugar slowly ) carbohydrates which are metabolized into muscle energy best. This will lead to increases in strength and muscle endurance.


Final Thoughts


Long term success managing weight starts with the right approach. If you are overweight, the real problem is that you have too much body fat for how much muscle you possess. A body composition solution is needed, not just a weight loss diet. Your goal should be to lose fat without losing muscle or sacrificing your health in the process. To maintain your results your eating habits must develop life long character. low carbohydrate diets provide initial weight loss, but at the high cost of losing muscle and reducing metabolism. They are inadequate sources of fuel to support exercise activity, which is vital in maintaining good health. The risks to your health long term makes low carbohydrate diet's poor solutions for life long weight management.

by Charles Remington

weight loss food : Do Diet Pills Really Work?

You've seen diet pill advertisements… You have read the testimonials claiming diet pills work. You have often wondered - will diet pills work for me?

For fast weight loss, diet pills can work. If you are overweight or obese, using diet pills can help to kick start your weight loss program and help you in attaining your ideal weight.


A word of caution when determining whether diet pills are for you, diet pills are not the final answer to your weight loss concerns. No diet pill will let you eat what you want, not exercise and still lose weight. You many see results short term but the challenge will be keeping it off. You should ensure that your consumption of diet pills is in conjunction with a healthy eating and exercise regime. There is medical evidence that diet pills do work to aid in weight loss, but not as a miracle cure. Researchers stress the use of diet pills along with diet and exercise.


Types of diet Pills


There is a wide variety of diet pills on the market; prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Here is a brief overview of the different types of diet pills available.


Prescription diet Pills: Only available with a Doctor's prescription, your Physician will monitor your health and weight loss progress while you are taking the diet pills.


Fat Blockers and Carb Blockers: Inhibits the action of the lipase enzyme. When you eat foods containing fat, lipase breaks down the fat in the intestine. Fat blockers remove some of the fat ingested through bowel movements instead of being broken down and absorbed.


Appetite Suppressants: Affects the appetite-regulating region of the brain. These diet pills decrease your appetite by increasing serotonin, a chemical in the brain that affects mood and appetite.


Over-the-counter diet Pills: Widely available in your local drugstore, supermarket or online, OTC diet pills are monitored by the FDA for efficacy and product claims. Most OTC diet pills work by increasing your energy while boosting metabolism.


Herbal diet Pills: Also available without a prescription, herbal diet pills found in health food and nutrition stores. Some of the ingredients in herbal diet pills are very powerful when engineered correctly. Some work better than prescription medications. There are some you can try out free of charge to see it it's right for you. One I would recommend is www.NightDietPlus.com which can be taken before you go to bed and will not keep you up. It contains no caffeine or stimulants. Another powerful for of an herbal diet pill is Ephedra. Once banned for it's potency (and a bad rap) it's ban has been lifted and is available once more.


Research the different diet pills available to determine which are right for you. Avoid diet pills that make ‘sweeping claims' because you may just end up disappointed with your results. Remember, in order to achieve sustainable weight loss while taking diet pills, you need to include a healthy eating plan and regular exercise.

by Todd Brenner

Sunday, July 09, 2006

weight loss food : Beating Food Cravings

Everyone, regardless of how disciplined they are with their diet, will from time to time fall victim to cravings for one food item or another. For people trying to lose weight, these cravings are even more of a challenge to deal with than for someone simply maintaining their weight. Regardless of whether or not you are trying to lose weight however, cravings can be the one thing that makes you break your normal dietary habits and overdo the calories you usually try to do without.

Most people know that getting some kind of exercise and eating healthy, low-fat foods is the key to maintaining good health, but with the hectic and hurried schedules so many people have these days, sometimes eating right and getting exercise can be easier said than done. The best way to insure against dietary disaster when you do get those cravings throughout the day is to plan ahead and use a little strategy.

For one thing, try to plan 5 to 6 small meals with one to be eaten around every 3 hours of the day and make it a point not to miss any of them. It takes an average of 2 ½ hours for the human body to digest a meal, so by the time you start to feel a craving coming on, it's almost time for your next meal anyway.

Make it a point to drink plenty of water. Quite often, feelings of hunger between meals are really your body trying to signal thirst. By keeping a bottle of water with you all day and making it a point to take constant "sips" throughout the day, you will keep hydrated, feel better, and eliminate one common cause for cravings to happen.

When you are at home, always try to keep some fresh fruit on hand. If you are hit with a craving, fruit is a better choice than cake or chips. Also, make a fat- free dip and cut up some fresh veggies like carrots and celery and keep them in the fridge. This will give you another quick and healthy snack that you can just grab and eat during a craving.

Never go to a party, a meeting, or any event where there will be food available on an empty stomach. This will set you right up to over eat when you get there. Always eat a small meal or at least eat a good, healthy snack before you go as this will help to stop cravings from hitting you while there.

If there are certain snack foods that you really enjoy, don't try to completely cut them out. You will only overindulge in them when you can't control the urge to have them later. Plan these snacks into your day, and just make them snacks that you have once in a while and in moderate amounts when you do.

Remember that just because certain food items are fat- free does not mean they are calorie free. When turning to fat free snacks, be careful of how many calories they contain and adjust your portions accordingly. It is very easy to assume fat- free is "safe" and go way overboard on them.

The next time you are hit with cravings, remember these little guidelines and you will be able to deal with them without ruining your efforts to maintain healthy eating habits.

by Jim O'Neill

weight loss food : Four Myths About Diet

Nowhere are there more fad diets, weight loss schemes and wild, completely unsubstantiated weight loss advice circulating than in the USA. With so much conflicting "information" out there, it's no wonder people don't know where to turn to lose weight properly and in a healthy way. The fact is many people assume they are eating healthy although it's closer to the truth that many of them don't even come close to eating a balanced, nutritious diet.

The reason for this is mostly due to the fact that they are guiding themselves with false information propagated by fad diets put out there by weight loss companies. Most of these diets are leading people to believe that cutting out certain nutrients is what it takes to properly lose weight. Nothing can be further from the truth. Here are four common myths which lead many dieters to take the wrong road to try to find their weight loss salvation.

MYTH # 1) YOU HAVE TO STARVE YOURSELF TO LOOSE WEIGHT
This is probably the most commonly heard and longest running myth about weight loss out there. The fact is, if you don't eat enough, your metabolism will slow down greatly making your body want to store fat thus making most of your initial weight loss come from water and muscle. This makes your body-fat percentage go up, meaning you are losing weight, but you are actually getting fatter!

The average woman should not eat less than 1000 calories per day and the average man should not eat less than 1200 calories per day unless under the direction of a physician. If you eat 5-6 smaller meals a day verses 3 bigger ones within a proper calorie range, you will never feel hungry and you will lose weight while staying healthy.

MYTH # 2) EAT NO FAT WHATSOEVER
This is another myth that has been around for a long time. It probably comes from the fact you do need to limit your fat intake to around 15% to 20% of your overall daily calorie intake. "If eating only a little is good, then eating none must be better", but the fact is, your body does need that 15% to 20% of fat in your diet because fat helps lubricate your joints, keeps your skin smooth and elastic, provides a source of energy, helps your nervous system to function properly and provides insulation from cold weather. Olive, flaxseed and fish oils are good sources of fats. Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated (trans) fats.

MYTH # 3) YOU SHOULD NOT EAT FROM CERTAIN FOOD GROUPS
A lot of fad diets adhere to cutting out one food group or another. The Atkins diet, which sparked a whole host of copycat diets, placed an emphasis on eliminating carbohydrates for example. The fact is your body needs a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat to function properly and so none of them should be eliminated from your diet. Water, vitamins, minerals and fiber are also needed and should be a part of your regular daily intake. The key is to try to keep the carbs, proteins and fats in the proper range at approximately 60% for carbs, 25% for proteins and 15% for fats.

MYTH # 4) TO GET ENOUGH PROTEIN, YOU HAVE TO EAT MEAT
While it is true that meat is a great source of protein, it is certainly not the only one. Meat can also be high in fat and sodium. Dairy products are usually high in fat, but now there are plenty of low-fat and fat-free dairy products to choose from and they do not compromise the protein value. Egg whites are also a prime source of protein. These are all sources of complete proteins. Various vegetables and legumes also contain proteins but these are all incomplete proteins and must be eaten in the right combinations to become complete. One example is combining beans with rice.

The best way to be sure you are getting a well balanced, nutrient rich diet is to eat more whole foods and less processed, pre-packaged foods and to avoid eating out as much as possible. Make eating out an occasional treat, but try to prepare most of your meals yourself and you will be on your way to living a healthier, leaner lifestyle.

by Jim O'Neill

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

weight loss food : If You're Happy And You Know It, Don't Get Fat

Lead researcher Dr. Greg E. Simon, senior investigator at The Center For Health Studies in Seattle, Washington, watched 9,125 adults in his study using his professional skills both as a psychiatrist and health services researcher to determine the overall mental health of the study participants. Close to 25 percent of the study participants were obese.

What Dr. Simon discovered was that the obese study members were one-fourth MORE likely to experience a depressed mood and exhibit certain anxiety disorders as compared to the non-obese study members. Interestingly, though, the obese people in the study were one-fourth LESS likely than the skinnier ones to begin abusing drugs or alcohol ostensibly to relieve them of their pain. That is probably due to the fact that they turned to food as their "drug" to comfort them.

That's always baffled me how some people choose to abuse their bodies by sticking a needle in their arm, a bottle of alcohol in their mouth, or popping pills while others eat an entire gallon of rocky road ice cream. Both experience traumatic pain that makes them want to escape, but both seem to find the appropriate "high" they are looking for by picking their poison. I really don't know which is worse!

The conclusion of this study was a mixed bag and it has Dr. Simon pondering the chicken or the egg theory: do obese people get that way because they got depressed and ate their way into obesity trying to feel better or did the depression begin as a result of the public scorn and ridicule that comes from being obese? The surprising answer is that it could be BOTH! And a laughing diet won't make things any better either!

As happy as I thought I was when I weighed 410 pounds a few years back, deep down inside I knew I was a hurting man. Not physically, although there were signs my body was breaking down, but mentally and emotionally. While I never fell into this deep fit of depression that I couldn't come out of, there were self-image problems that I had to deal with being fat.

Do you know bad it hurts to have people staring at you in disbelief that you allowed yourself to get morbidly obese wearing a size 62 inch waist pants and 5XL shirts? How about when I tried to say hello to you when I saw you walking by and you all but ignored me? And can you even put yourself in my shoes at that moment when I sit down in the driver's seat of my car only to hear the horrifying sound of me ripping my pants wide open?

weight loss food : Calcium supplements could help women control weight

Middle-aged women could benefit from calcium supplements suggests a new study that is yet another twist to the calcium-dairy weight loss debate.

“Increasing total calcium intake, in the form of calcium supplementation, may be beneficial to weight maintenance, especially in women during midlife,” wrote lead author Alejandro Gonzalez from the University of Washington, Seattle.
The controversy may arise from the different population groups that have been studied. A study from Purdue University claimed that young women could burn more calories if they ate three or four dairy servings per day. However another report, also from Purdue, reported that increased dairy consumption had no effect on weight gain or loss.

And a recent study from Denmark with young girls suggested that dairy intake did benefit weight loss but this effect was not solely due to calcium content, thought earlier to be responsible for the weight loss seen in some trials.

A new study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (Vol. 106, pp. 1066-1073), brings the focus of the debate back to calcium with the researchers concluding that calcium, in the form of supplements, could be beneficial for weight control, but only in women.

“This article presents the largest analysis of calcium use and weight change among free-living middle-aged men and women,” said the researchers.

By Stephen Daniells

Sunday, July 02, 2006

weight loss food : 4 Keys to Weight Loss

First off, let me start by saying this list is by no means exhaustive. However, if you can manage these 4 important components of a weight loss program, you will be on your way to a slimmer body.

Build the Foundation

Many people begin a weight loss program with their basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy (calories) your body uses in a resting state, in the gutter. The key then is to increase your BMR so that you are burning more calories throughout the day, every day. Increase the amount of calories you burn, increase the amount of fat you lose. Makes sense, yes? The best way to increase your BMR is through adding muscle tissue. Females often shudder at the idea of adding muscle due to their fear of becoming "bulky." Relax babe! It's a little harder to add that kind of muscle mass than you think. Besides, a little muscle mass goes a long way toward achieving a leaner body. And this is what you want, right?

Specificity of Program

Not just any exercise program will do for weight loss. Simply burning calories is not good enough. The program must be designed to elicit specific hormonal responses that are conducive to weight loss. I'll give you a hint…hours and hours of cardio is NOT the answer!

Consistency

This one pretty much speaks for itself. Have you ever achieved anything great with an inconsistent effort? Unless you consider failure a great achievement, you probably haven't. You must exercise consistently to get the results you want! It amazes me how many people put so little effort into their exercise program and complain about not seeing results. Even the most well designed programs are useless if they are not adhered to on a consistent basis.

Diet

Again, this one goes without saying. You can't expect to achieve a leaner body by continuing your unhealthy eating habits. This isn't to say that you should drop everything in your diet immediately and exchange it for "healthy" food. You would end up miserable and revert back to your old habits within a month. Instead, practice moderation and don't overindulge. Also, phase certain unhealthy foods out of your diet while introducing healthier foods. The transition will be easier to make and a lot easier to maintain.

by Chad Anderson, CSCS

weight loss food : 1 Pound Of Fat = 3,500 Calories

There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Thus, if you cut back or work off just 3,500 calories, you will lose an entire pound of fat. While it is possible to cut back on your calorie intake and increase your exercise regimen in order to lose pounds quickly, it is important to note that doctors recommend that you lose no more than 2 pounds of weight per week in order to ensure that your body properly adjusts to the weight loss.

Here are some tips to help you safely drop 3,500 from your regular routine:

Run

Running for about 1 hour at a slow pace will help you lose approximately 350 calories, depending on your body type, speed and terrain. Thus, if you run for one hour five days a week while maintaining a consistent diet, you will safely lose one pound.

It is important to understand that many people who just begin running will eat pasta and other foods high in carbohydrates in order to compensate for the exertion. They think that because they worked out so hard, they deserve a treat. After all, they justify, the pasta will help to keep their energy levels high.

However, what they may not realize is that while they are justified in thinking that the carbohydrates will infuse their workout routine with energy, they are not actually setting their bodies up to lose weight. When you burn 350 calories but intake 450 over a high-carbohydrate pasta dish, you are adding more calories to your body than you otherwise would have.

Running does, however, help to boost our metabolism and change your muscle tone so that you burn calories more efficiently. Instead of inhaling a pasta dish after a run, select instead to have a large salad and splurge for the carbohydrate-rich croutons.

Eat In

When you eat out at a restaurant, not only are you subjecting your body to an array of high fat, high calorie foods, but you are also tempting yourself to eat a larger portion than you might normally eat. Therefore, what could be a simple 500 calories meal can easily turn into a 1500-calorie fat fest. In order to lose weight by cutting calories, it is essential that you are aware of exactly what you are putting into your body. Especially in the beginning of your new routine, it is important that you prepare your meals and monitor your level of hunger.

When eating out, generally you are in a social situation where food is not a priority – but spending time with your friends is. For this reason, people tend to eat more than they normally would. Non-dessert eaters often even spring for the extra round of calories. If you must eat out, help yourself avoid temptation by selecting a salad rather than a plate of pasta or burger. You will be amazed at the difference in the amount of calories you intake when you make simple choices such as meal option.

By reducing your overall calorie intake and increasing your level of physical activity, you will be able to lose those 3,500 calories without much trouble. Make sure that you stay focused, motivated and on task. You'll shed unwanted weight in no time!

by Joey Dweck

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