Pointers on Losing Weight Safely

People who want to lose weight commonly, and first of all, think about reducing the amount of food they eat. This may be quite a solution but not exactly the best there is. In fact, depending on the amount you reduce in your food intake, it may even be dangerous to one's health. So how does one lose weight effectively and safely? Here are some points one should consider when trying to lose weight:

Beware of the Crash Diets

Most people think that trimming down the calories can alone shed off their unwanted excess. Probably this is because of the fad there is in advertising about low-calorie food products and beverages. What people don't know is that this could be dangerous because when they decrease their calorie intake way to below the required levels, the body begins to digest the fats. Sounds good but it doesn't actually. Burning fat requires a lot of energy. Since there is not much energy in the body to facilitate metabolism of fat, it will run at a very slow pace resulting to fatigue, illness and weak immune system.

Low-calorie diet is also compensated for by the body by burning muscle. People on this type of diet who revert back to their old eating habits end up gaining back some, if not all the weight they have shed off. This would consist mainly of fats. And since fats have more volume per mass than muscle, they end up having the same weight as before but more bulkier. In losing weight, one should keep in mind that they should lose excess body fats only.

However, one can try out eating small meals at more frequent intervals. This way the body will not think that it is being starved and will not store food as fat.

Eat Properly

One may have considered junking the crash diet option but he should also not forget to watch what he is eating. Variety must always be considered so that one may be able to get the necessary nutrients from his diet.It is also healthier to eat food which are roasted, steamed or broiled rather than fried. It is also important to include a lot of fiber in the diet. Frequent rehydration is also necessary.

Pump Up lean Muscle Mass

Muscles burn calories when they work; they even do so at rest. Unlike fats which just lie around, bulge around the pants and dangle beneath the sleeves, muscles burn calories all-day round. With this fact, one can start weight loss by increasing muscle mass. The more muscles, the less fat will be left. This is attainable starting with working out with resistance exercises.

Engaging in Aerobics

Aerobics are not only good for the heart by increasing cardio-vascular endurance. Aerobics also help in increasing lean muscle mass while simultaneously decreasing excess body fat. Aside from these, aerobics make the metebolic process more efficient and its rate high, even after a long while. Imagine burning fat efficiently while driving along the freeway or even while watching television.

Extra "Push"

Some people believe that smoking and caffeine can actually help in losing weight. This can perhaps be true; however, they do the body more harm than good because of their side-effects. For that extra "push", one can try out taking food supplements. Afterall, 95% of these products out in the market actually does good.

On Taking Diet Pills

Over-the-counter diet pills affect the amount of weight one loses as well as how long one keeps that amount of weight off. However, one must be wary of the side-effects of these diet pills. As such, one must faithfully follow the instructions provided for in the packaging. It is also prudent to consult the physician anyway before trying out these drugs and also to find out which type would be best for the individual.

Losing weight does not have to mean sacrifice and suffering. It actually means opening up to a more full and healthy life where one may not have to feel bad about himself having to look the way he does or not being able to do what he wants to do. Losing weight might entail a little adjustments plus the discomforts, but as the old saying goes, "no pain, no gain." Besides fat, what has one got to lose anyway?

Weight Loss And The Theory Of Constraints

It's always been fascinating to me how business, finance and weight loss parallel one another.

Take a personal bank account for instance. If you add more to it than you take out of it, your account will grow bigger and bigger. The same is true with your body. If you put more into it through eating than you take out of it through activity it will grow bigger and bigger. That's a simple truth isn't it?

What about a business? If a business owner doesn't watch his business on a daily basis and take action when necessary his business will most probably fail. The same is true with a weight loss program. If it's not monitored on a daily basis and action taken when necessary it will fail. Most businesses fail. So do most weight loss programs. That's a simple truth also.

I've been an industrial engineer all my life and years ago I read a book that pertained to manufacturing by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt, an Israeli physicist, entitled "The Theory of Constraints".

The core idea in the Theory of Constraints is that every real system, such as a profit-making enterprise, must have at least one constraint.

If it were not true, then the system would produce an infinite amount of whatever it strives for. In the case of a profit-making enterprise, it would be infinite profits.

Because a constraint is a factor that limits the system from getting more of whatever it strives for, then a business manager who wants more profits must manage the constraint.

There really is no choice in the matter. Either you manage constraints or they manage you. The constraints will determine the output of the system whether they are acknowledged and managed or not.

There can be many constraints in a business but I found out in my engineering career there is usually a primary one. All constraints must be managed but by focusing the most attention on the primary one, whatever is being strived for will improve. Perfection is never achieved but improvement can be accomplished.

It's a constant battle.

Does The Theory of Constraints apply to weight loss? Absolutely! If there were no constraints to weight loss then none of us would be fat. Dieters can achieve improvement by focusing on their primary constraint the same as the business manager, even though all constraints must be managed.

It's a constant battle.

So what is the primary constraint to weight loss? I think it's universal to all dieters. The cartoon character Pogo, by Walt Kelly, said it best. "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Yep. The primary constraint to weight loss is between our ears. We prefer sitting on the couch and indulging in the pleasures of the moment rather than striving for what we would like to have in the future. As far as weight loss is concerned we might as well be hunting for unicorns or searching for pots of gold at the end of rainbows. We're just as likely to find them as to lose weight.

Good information on weight loss is abundant but to lose weight you must become proactive. Knowledge is not enough. You've got to work on that primary constraint. You've got to get off that couch and DO SOMETHING. I wish you the best.

Weight Control With Bowling Anyone?

Bowling is a game sport that can free up your emotions. It can also be used to relieve stress and tension. It is perfect to those who are constantly busy with their lives and are frequently bombarded with pressure-filling jobs. But aside from these benefits, are you aware of other things that bowling can do to your body? Of course, weight control with bowling is possible.

After all, with this game sport, you get to move much of your body muscles. It makes you physically active, so you burn calories more as well. So, more than gaining higher physical vigor, you get some of your weight off, consequently giving you a fabulous body you so die for.

If you engage into this beautiful game sport, you can be almost assured to get your physical in top condition always. The good thing about this is it might no longer require you to engage in any other boring weight control programs, of course, depending on how much weight you are going to put away. Now, that’s good news, isn’t it? You need not shell out a hefty amount of your money just so you get enrolled on one of those diet programs, or buy those expensive diet pills or other similar stuffs. Most bowling centers are even affordable, so there’s no excuse that you shouldn’t go.

The health benefits of weight control with bowling summarize into the following:

• Tone body muscles

– walking along the bowling lane, stretching your hand to attempt making a spare or strike, and releasing the weighty ball are enough to promote good muscle exercises. This is just like when you exercise by walking, but with bowling there is weight involved; thus, you get more of the exercise. The stretching or flexing of your hand is also a good way for your joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles to get good exercise. In addition, it also promotes good blood circulation. So, overall, bowling is a fun way of exercising and losing weight in the process.

• Burn fats

– as you continue to move with those walking, flexing, stretching, and swinging, you are already causing some accumulated calories or fats to get burned. So, continuous involvement in this sport can be a routine of weight losing.

• Socially, you build friendships too with bowling

- You get to bond with your friends, family, or relatives with continuous engagement with bowling trips. You create good social relationships, which are psychologically known to promote better heart performance. A better heart performance is great match with weight losing or controlling.

So, now you know bowling is not just for building your stamina or releasing trapped energy but is also great as aid for losing/reducing weight. And even if you are enrolled with a certain weight control program, it is recommended that you get involved in active game sports, such as bowling activities.

Even if there are claims out there, there is no such thing as quick fix, as far as weight losing is concerned. Meaning, hard work, together with any program or product, is needed for a successful weight lose achievement. As advised by the experts, your weight control program will be more effective if this is done together with a clean and active lifestyle. Bowling produces healthy and safe active fat-burning lifestyle; therefore, weight control with bowling is just perfect!

Want to Lose Weight? Stop Dieting

I could have titled this one "Want to keep on losing weight? Stop dieting".

The human body is wise. Back when we were hunters and gatherers, survival depended on food supply. Lack of food lead to death. So the body adapted: when food supply is low, the body's functions slow down, which reduces the need for energy (and food). That's how it managed to stay alive during periods of famine. Even when food was available, it never was three meals a day. Our ancestors would hunt, share their loot, feast for a day or two, and seek food again.

Today, food is abundant. Survival is not an issue. Still, this evolutionary mechanism complicates dieting and weight loss. If you diet non stop, your body functions slow down, your natural expenditure of energy lowers, and weight loss stops: your body thinks it needs to protect itself from a famine.

How do you get around that?

By alternating periods of weight loss with periods of maintenance or even slight surplus-like what would have happened naturally hundreds of thousands of years ago.

By putting your diet on hold, you give your body a break. Its functions return to normal speed, and soon you're ready to diet again.

Taking a break also helps on the psychological side-dieting is hard, and after weeks of restriction, getting (partially) reacquainted with your favorite foods is a blessing.

ACTION STEP 1

Think about the last time you've dieted. Did you notice a "slowing down" of your metabolism? Symptoms include low energy levels, general unhappiness (or even slight depression i.e. not feeling like doing anything), and lightheadedness... Dieting for extended period of time is also hard on your immune system: even got a cold after 6-8 weeks into a diet? From now on, take a full week off after 3 weeks of dieting.

ACTION STEP 2

Ask people around you who've dieted if they experienced these symptoms.

ACTION STEP 3

For more weight loss tips, check my website below.

Weight Loss As An Added Bonus

The truth is that the astounding weight loss being achieved on the green tea diet is just one of the numerous miracle-like benefits of simply

drinking green tea. Green tea diet is also widely recognized as a substance that can protect against many different cancers such as stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the colon, oral cancer, prostate cancer, and breast and cervical cancers. Another antioxidant in green tea diet is also being studied as a potential cure for cancer. The green tea diet is actually a dietary supplement which is composed of natural ingredients such as green tea.

Due to the popularity of recent findings, green tea has almost become synonymous with weight loss and diet. For instance, instead of drinking

coffee and cream which area high in calories, green tea weight loss programs can not only save you from taking in too much calories but also

let you take in several healthful substances like polyphenols and flavonoids. There are a lage number of remedial benefits of drinking Green

Tea and research has confirmed that consuming a small amount like just one cup of Green Tea a day can greatly assist in weight reduction and fat burning. The great thing about the weight loss benefit of green tea extracts is that it does not have any adverse side-effects.

Green tea diet supplements are all the latest rage in the weight loss industry today. With its countless health and weight loss benefits, these

dieting supplements are fast replacing ephedra as the leading weight loss product in the market. Although green tea weight loss supplements also

contain caffeine this doesn't seem to have the negative effects found in other products with caffeine. People who use these supplements in studies

will loose approximately 2 ½ pounds per month. Yes, believe it or not, more and more often you’ll find green tea (or green tea extract) included in the compilations of many of the more popular weight loss supplements today.

As opposed to black and oolong tea which undergoes full oxidization, green tea diet is only gently steamed, preserving the natural antioxidants in

its original form. A green tea diet is one of the easiest lifestyle changes to make. The green tea diet is no different that it not only recommends

but requires the use of simple exercises to be completed along with the consumption of the dietary supplements.

Weight Loss Plan: The Goal to Go For

Since excess weight puts you at risk for many health problems, you may need to set some weight loss plans to help avoid those risks and prevent disease.

But what should be your long-term goal? And what short-term goals should you set to help you get there? You have a better chance of attaining your goals if you make sure that the weight loss plans that you will use are sensible and reasonable right at the beginning.

Here are some guidelines from the experts in choosing weight loss plans and goals.

1. Be realistic

Most people’s long-term weight loss plans are more ambitious than they have to be.

For example, if you weigh 170 pounds and your long-term plan is to weigh 120, even if you have not weighed 120 since you were 16 and now you are 45, that is not a realistic weight loss goal.

Your body mass index or BMI is a good indicator of whether or not you need to shed of pounds. The ideal BMI range, according to the national Institutes of Health, is between 19 and 24.9. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight. Any number above 30 is in the obesity range.

From this point of view, you will need a sensible weight loss plan that will correspond to the required BMI based on your height, because this is the primary factor that will affect your BMI.

2. Set appropriate objectives

Using a weight loss plan just for vanity’s sake is psychologically less helpful than losing weight to improve health.

You have made a big step forward if you decide to undergo a weight loss plan that includes exercise and eating right so that you will feel better and have more energy to do something positive in your life.

3. Focus on doing, not losing

Rather than saying that you are going to lose a pound this week, say how much you are going to exercise this week. This would definitely make up of a sensible weight loss plan.

Keep in mind that your weight within a span of a week is not completely in your control, but your behavior is.

4. Build bit by bit

Short-term weight loss plans should not be “pie-in-the-sky.” This means that when you have never exercised at all, your best weight loss plan for this week should be based on finding three different one-mile routes that you can walk next week.

5. Keep up the self-encouragement

An all-or-nothing attitude only sets you up to fail. Learn to evaluate your efforts fairly and objectively. If you fall short of some goals, just look ahead to next week. You do not need to have a perfect record.

After all, self-encouragement should definitely be a part of your weight loss plans. Otherwise, you will just fail in the end.

6. Use measurable measures

Saying that you are going to be more positive this week or that you are going to really get serious this week is not a goal that you can measure and should not be a part of your weight loss plan.

This is another reason why you should incorporate exercise on your weight loss plan and focus on it. You should be able to count up the minutes of exercise in order to be successful in your plan.

The bottom line is, people should make weight loss plans that will only remain as it is, just a plan. They have to put it into action by incorporating goals that will motivate them to succeed.

Want to Stay Lean? Think Green

Think losing weight on an all-you-can-eat diet is the stuff of infomercials? Think again.

Obese subjects placed on a vegan diet -excluding meat and animal products, but not limiting calories - lost more weight than a control group that followed a low-calorie, low-cholesterol diet, in a collaborative study by George Washington University and Georgetown University.

The veg edge: approximately 13 pounds lost over 14 weeks for the vegan dieters, versus 8 pounds for the control group.

More recently, the same researchers reviewed 87 studies on vegan or vegetarian diets, concluding that the high-fiber, high-water, low-fat content of vegan or vegetarian diets - not calorie counting per se - was responsible for weight loss. Indeed, overweight individuals who "went vegan" lost about a pound per week, regardless of additional lifestyle changes made.

Other research found that vegetarian women weigh less. After evaluating the diet and health data of 56,000 Swedish women, Tufts University researchers found the meat eaters were significantly more likely to be overweight when compared to their vegetarian peers: 40 percent of carnivores, compared to 25 percent of vegetarians and 29 percent of flexitarians, or semi-vegetarians (those who avoided meat but ate fish and eggs).

If a slimmer figure isn't enough incentive to go greener, how about a longer life? A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low meat intake was associated with a 3.6-year increase in life expectancy.

Yet another reason to minimize meat and make more room for plant-based protein on your plate: A recent Mayo clinic analysis of data from nearly 30,000 postmenopausal women found a 30 percent lower risk from heart disease among those who ate the most vegetable protein from beans and nuts in place of either carbohydrates or animal protein.

A large-scale analysis of dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk found that animal products such as meat and dairy were the strongest risk factors, while fruit and vegetable consumption had the most protective benefit.

Processed meat may be the unhealthiest of all, according to a study from the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern California, which found those who consumed the most processed meat had a 67 percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Diets rich in red meat and pork increased the risk by about 50 percent.

If you're like most Americans, your problem isn't getting enough protein and simple carbohydrates; your challenge (and health opportunity) is to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and legumes.

Little changes can make a big difference. Add more fruit to your cereal (try frozen berries for convenience and freshness). Make a banana or a fruit cup your morning snack.

Have a vegetable-based soup with your lunch and, research suggests, you'll also end up eating less. Same goes for dinner: Start with salad and you'll consume fewer calories and far more nutrients.

Weight Loss Attitudes

Once you’ve achieved your desired weight, you return to your old eating habits and levels of activity, the weight will return. Plain and simple.

Quick-fix diets face this kind of problem. They don’t offer long-term changes which sometimes cause the downfall of the program.

Stay realistic

Avoid feeling dissatisfaction with what you have accomplished. Enjoy your life and be satisfied with the healthy weight you can achieve. Initially, weight loss is gradual compared to those who return to their previous weight.

Have self-discipline

People who watch their weight show flexibility in their self-control. Most of the time, they make healthy choices but does not avoid eating food.

Eat healthily

Learn proper choice, preparation and enjoyment of a balanced diet. Skill in cooking low-fat diet, understanding labels of food and being able to judge portion sizes food labels and having the ability to judge portion sizes contribute to a balanced diet.

Eating regular meals, tasting them and planning ahead is also a part of this.

How to eat like a successful slimmer

• Maintain a balanced, lower fat diet in addition to fruits and vegetables.
• Don't stay away from any foods, eat portion sizes and minimize the amount of certain foods.
• Eat three regular meals a day at regular times (starting with breakfast), and lesser snacks.
• Dine out occasionally, but lessen fast food.
• Sit down to eat your meals, enjoy them and pay attention to what you're eating.

Stay active

Getting regular exercise is one of the factors that determine long-term success. It does not only burn unwanted calories and increase metabolism but also increases self-esteem and fights stress.

According to research, walking alone for 30 minutes daily plus some additional activities during the week can be enough.

Have ongoing support

The right kind of support during and after weight loss is vital. It is not an easy task and maintaining them is not easy as well.

Self-monitoring, being conscious and taking down notes is a way of supporting yourself.

Learn to deal with stress

Food is a quick and effective method of handling stress for some people. Evaluate the stresses in your life and your response to these stresses.

Discover new ways to handle your stress. Regular exercise, breathing techniques and removing negative self-talk that fuels anxiety.

Be like a successful slimmer

• Regularly inspect your weight (once or twice a week) or use another indicator.
• Avoid guilt-feeling when you overeat or about certain foods.
• Handle stress and solve problems. Ask for assistance and support from your family, friends, a club, website or health professionals.

Weight: Give Us Something To Shoot For

We have all seen the new Dove commercials that feature “real” women rather than the impossibly “ideal” models that are usually selected. While the Dove girls are universally attractive and fit, they also reflect different sizes and shapes, designed to represent the average American woman. Is that what we want?

Glorifying our diversity seems like a positive development which should lead to increased self-content and improved self-esteem. Comparing ourselves to the imperfect bodies displayed is supposed to lessen our self-criticism and sense of inadequacy.

Does it?

We are a race of strivers, constantly seeking to better ourselves. Self-improvement is the biggest marketing niche of the Twenty-first Century, from books and classes to online information products, magazines, and television. The gurus of our day, from Oprah, to Martha Stewart, to Dr. Phil, to Donald Trump, all entice us towards improving ourselves, our looks, our relationships, our finances, our surroundings — our whole life. We are dissatisfied with ourselves as we are because we have caught a glimpse of what we can become.

To keep us motivated in that direction, we need a vision of perfection to work towards, even if we know we’ll never quite get there.

When it comes to weight control, what will keep us riveted on our goal? To look as gorgeous as the cover models on Cosmopolitan or the chunky figures in the Dove Ads?

We don’t want to be patronized by the marketing mavens. We don’t want a subtle reminder that we need to set our sights lower or aspire to something less than excellence. We want a dream that soars, that inspires us to unbelievable heights. We want a vision to move towards, no matter how unlikely it is that we will reach that destination. So keep your condescending “Go ahead and settle for this” approach away, please.

Robert Browning suggested: “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

Weight Gain Myths

The vast majority of myths about weight gain are mostly passed down from
"gym talk" and so-called experts who know nothing about the body's workings.

Myths that lead to wasted time, frustration and if are taken blindly as truth, can really set back your progress in the gym. Don't believe everything you hear in the gym when it comes to exercise and weight gain, do the research yourself.

Simple, basic principles apply to all weight and muscle gain such as progressive overload, variable frequency of reps and high intensity workouts. Lets take a look at some of the most common weight gain myths.


High repetitions burn fat while low repetitions build muscle.

Progressive overload is needed to make muscles bigger.
Meaning that you need to perform more reps than you did
for your last workout for that particular exercise.
If you perform the same amount of reps at each workout nothing
will change on you, also if the weight doesn’t changes on the bar nothing
will change on you. You need to become stronger.

Definition has two characteristics, muscle size and a low
incidence of body fat. To reduce body fat you will have to
reduce your calories; the high repetition exercise will burn
some calories, but wouldn't it be better to fast walk to burn these off?
Better still; use the low reps to build muscle, which will
elevate your metabolism and burn more calories (less fat).


Vegetarians can’t build muscle.

Yes they can! Strength training with supplementation of
soy Protein Isolate has shown to increase solid bodyweight.
Studies have shown that athletic performance is not impaired
by following a meat free diet, and people strength training
and consuming only soy protein isolate as a protein source
were able to gain lean muscle mass.


Strength Training will make you look masculine.

If it is not you’re intention to bulk up from strength training
you won’t. Putting on muscle is a long hard slow process.
Your strength-training regime coupled with quality food will
determine how much you will bulk up. To bulk up you also require
more food. Women don't produce enough testosterone to allow
for muscular growth as large as men.


By working out you can eat what ever you want to.

Of course you can eat whatever you want, if you don't care
how you want to look. Working out does not give you an open license
to consume as many calories as you want. Although you will
burn more calories if you workout than someone who doesn't,
you still need to balance your energy intake with you energy
expenditure.


If you take a week off you will lose most of your gains.

Taking one or two weeks off occasionally will not harm your
training. By taking this time off every eight to ten weeks
in between strength training cycles it has the habit of refreshing you and
to heal those small niggling injuries. By having longer layoffs
you do not actually lose muscle fibres, just volume
through not training, any size loss will be quickly re-gained.


By eating more protein I can build bigger muscles.

Building muscle mass involves two things, progressive overload
to stimulate muscles beyond their normal levels of resistance
and eating more calories than you can burn off. With all the
hype about high protein diets lately and because muscle is made
of protein, it’s easy to believe that protein is the best fuel
for building muscle, however muscles work on calories which
should predominately be derived from carbohydrates.


If I'm not sore after a workout, I didn't work out hard enough.

Post workout soreness is not an indication of how good the
exercise or strength training session was for you. The fitter
you are at a certain activity, the less soreness you will
experience after. As soon as you change an exercise, use a
heavier weight or do a few more reps you place extra stress
on that body part and this will cause soreness.


Resistance training doesn't burn fat.

Nothing could not be further from the truth. Muscle is a
metabolically active tissue and has a role in increasing
the metabolism. The faster metabolism we have the quicker
we can burn fat. Cardio exercise enables us to burn
calories whilst exercising but does little else for
fat loss afterwards.

Weight training enables us to burn calories whilst
exercising but also helps us to burn calories whilst
at rest. Weight training encourages muscle growth
and the more lean muscle mass we possess, the more
fat we burn though an increased and elevated metabolism.


No pain no gain.

This is one myth that hangs on and on. Pain is your body
signalling that something is wrong. If you feel real
pain during a workout, stop your workout and rest.
To develop muscle and increase endurance you may need
to have a slight level of discomfort, but that's not
actual pain.


Taking steroids will make me huge.

Not true, strength training and correct nutrition will
grow muscle. Taking steroids without training will not
make you muscular.

Most steroids allow faster muscle growth through greater
recovery, while others help increase strength which
allows for greater stress to be put onto a muscle.
Without food to build the muscle or training to stimulate
it nothing will happen. Most of the weight gain seen
with the use of some steroids is due to water
retention and is not actual muscle.


Strength training won’t work your heart.

Wrong!! Strength training with short rest periods will
increase your heartbeat well over a hundred beats
per minute. For example, performing a set of breathing
squats and you can be guaranteed that your heart will
be working overtime and that your entire cardiovascular
system will be given a great overall body workout.

Any intensive weightlifting routine that lasts for
20 minutes or more is a great workout for your heart
and the muscles involved.


I can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time.

Wrong. Only a few gifted people with superb genetics
can increase muscle size while not putting on body fat.
But for the average hard gainer, they have to increase
their muscle mass to its maximum potential and then cut
down their body fat percentage to achieve the desired shape.

What is in a Weight Loss Diet Pill?

With all the strenuous activities and sweat-generating regimens that most weight loss programs have, more and more people are enticed to opt for a better alternative, without the trouble of exerting too much effort.

With the advent of diet pills that promote weight loss, people go mad over the appealing advertisements of most manufacturers claiming that their product can easily “melt away” those fats and cellulites.

With these pills dominating the market today, who needs to tone those abs and biceps and do some dieting if there is an easier way to lose weight?

With an estimated 60% of the American population that are now considered as obese, these “wonder” drugs are definitely reaping millions of dollars in the United States alone.

Now, the questions are: is there any truth regarding the manufacturers’ claims that these diet pills can ultimately promote weight loss? Are they really effective in helping people lose weight? And if that is the case, do these pills also help those people maintain their ideal weight and curb any fat accumulation in the body?

In reality, there are diet pills that can really make a person shed off those extra pounds. These diet pills contain certain substances that were already clinically and scientifically proven to be very effective.

These diet pills are effective in increasing the metabolism of the body, thereby, initiating weight loss. Plus, these diet pills contain certain substances that suppress one’s appetite.

However, with so many diet pills saturating the market today, trying to find the best and most effective diet pill can be very tedious. Chances are, you may end up choosing the wrong diet pill when your energy to find diet pills wanes down.

Actually, there are only five factors to consider when choosing diet pills that are effective at the same time safe to use. Here is a list of the factors that you need to consider in order to come up with a diet pill that is right and appropriate.

1. The metabolism-boosting ability

In choosing diet pills that will effectively promote weight loss, it is best to look for pills that have the ingredients that will enhance your body’s metabolism, or the ability of the body to burn excess fats.

Choose those diet pills that contain alpha lipoic acid, green tea extracts, and “L-Canitine” because these ingredients had been clinically proven to be effective in promoting weight loss through increased metabolic rate.

2. The appetite suppressants

Find diet pills that effectively suppress your appetite. It does not necessarily mean that you will skip meals but you will not just feel hungry every now and then. This is because obesity usually happens to people who are fond of in-between meals, which actually initiates excessive calorie intake.

3. The calorie stopper

Because obesity is usually due to excess intake of calories in the body, which is more than the recommended amount, it is best to choose diet pills that have the special ingredients that will curb the entry of calories into the body.

These substances are known as “phaseolus vulgaris.” This is known to create an enzyme that will efficiently control any excess calories in the body. The enzyme responsible for this wonderful job is known as “alpha-amylase.”

4. The metabolic enhancers

It is best to choose diet pills that have the so-called “lipotropic elements” that are effective in eliminating fats from the body. It functions like a sweeper that effectively sweeps excess fats outside the body.

These lipotropic elements are found in vitamin C, chitosan, alpha lipoic acid, and green tea extracts.

5. The water-retention breaker

Effective diet pills are those that contain diuretics. These are elements that avert the retention of water in the body during the weight loss regimen.

All of these factors are, indeed, clinically proven and effective in losing weight. Though, it must be kept in mind that diet pills alone are not sufficient to provide optimum weight loss. Hence, it is still important to do some exercises.

Therefore, with exercise and the right diet pills, you are definitely on your way to a healthier, slimmer you.

Weight Loss

I had been overweight my entire life. I have tried to changed my live as well and now I’m successful. What I have been done ? It’s began 3 years ago. I have changed my thinking on my life. I stopped to use my favorite sentence that tomorrow I'll do something about my weight and I became aware that this is my last chance to change my visage.

Here is why we gain weight and my suggestion to reverse it

When we are nervous, we eat. Don’t tense. When we celebrate something with friends, we eat. Let’s celebrate in temperance. When we watch TV, what do we do ? We eat and eat. Hard nut to crack ? Once we sad, we eat When we see to smoke somebody, we take something to eat We need to ask ourselves some questions that may help solve a problem:

I thought about loss weight but then I didn't. Why does this happen? ? Mostly it's because you really do want to eat the sweet. Do I really need this cookie/cake/ice cream right now or am I pacifying something that is not going right for me, right now. What in my life would I like to change, right now? Why do I want to change it? What will these changes bring about, either now or in the near future It's always easier to put weight loss off for one more day.

People who have successfully achieved their ideal weight and better health without dieting report the following success strategies :

They made a commitment to changing habits long-term vs. just losing weight They became educated about sound nutrition principles They learned to cope with emotions and stress without food They consciously eat when their hungry and stop when their full They shift the focus from “looking good” to honoring their health and well-being They learn to adjust portions or food intake to match activity level They don’t sabotage themselves, when they blow it They seek ongoing support as needed to stay motivated For me when I'm busy and trying to get a lot of work done and something stumps me or requires extra thought, my tendency is to want to take a break and get something to chew on. That might be true for you too. I haven't worked directly on the anxious feelings themselves, just the end result of wanting to eat something. Every time I've tried it, I've ended up not wanting what I was going to eat in the first place so personally I'd say it is very effective.

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Weight Loss `Clarity` Still Confusing

With all the profound, prolific, often professional and proven facts you can find in this world to clearly help you lose weight, countless individuals still suffer from lack of knowledgeable solutions. It's no small wonder why the saga continues.

Three Challenging Reasons

There are three main reasons why burning fat and getting rid of excess or unwanted pounds remains such a large challenge. Would you like to know what they are?

1. Lack of A "YOU-Centered" Approach in Business.

2. Basic Misunderstanding or Misconception of Human Anatomy and Its "True" Operational Ability and Function...

3. Motivation -- That Is, Having Individual Possession of An Absolutely Compelling Reason To Get It Done, and In The Right Way, Too.

One: You - Centered Approach

Let's look at Number One: Lack of A "YOU-Centered" Approach in Business.

Lack of a "you-centered" approach in business simply means this... within numerous industries (an, diet-exercise-fitness-health-nutrition-weight management isn't much of an exception to the rule), sales primary production focus lies in "features." These are: What the weight loss product or service can do; how it's structured, or why it's supposed to be so great.

Quite often business, industry, and media seem to forget that "people" or "real" customers pay the salaries and make the businesses run. With that in mind, YOU and YOUR ideas, your comments, needs, feelings, circumstances and suggestions need to become first in the forecast of business and corporate venture.

Until this happens, YOU must seek your weight loss outcome with even more persistence, determination, and care.

Two: Formal Anatomy Misconceptions

Now, let's look at Number Two: Basic Misunderstanding or Misconception of Human Anatomy and Its "True" Operational Ability and Function.

In today's society, the hard cold fact is this... unless you've dedicated your life to, and /or spent/invested thousands of dollars into an accredited nationally or internationally recognized and formal program of biomechanics, anatomy, reflexology, physiology, athletic training, or exercise science and dietetics... you are bound to lack the most firm grasp on the "inner workings" of the human body.

In other words, the only way to master a thing is to practice it. Yet, how can you rehearse your routine with correct and clear understanding when you have not broken it down, piece by piece, reassembled it again, and documented your findings and outcomes over and again, plus noted differentiations, subtleties, and idiosyncrasies?

Without such knowledge (either your very own, or the assistance, guidance and availability of a caring and reliable resource person or organization), you may be stuck with antiquated ideas like: 1) weight lifting makes me too bulky, so I won't add the resistance training component to my weight loss workouts; 2) I'm doing my abdominal crunches every day, so why am I still so fat or overweight around the middle?... and 3) I already cut back on my food intake, so why aren't I losing weight?

In a nutshell, gaining genuine comprehension of human anatomy and its true operational ability and function provides answers to all of the above questions, very accurately, AND this solution empowers your command to DEMAND timely and guaranteed weight loss results for your own life.

Three: Compelling Motivation Consequence

Finally, let's consider Number Three: Motivation -- That Is, Having Individual Possession of An Absolutely Compelling Reason To Get It Done, and In The Right Way, Too.

Your motivational trigger can be a pleasant one, or a painful one. Yet, you can turn even a painful experience into a positive weight management cause. For the word "motivation," allow me to offer you the "renewed" and much more highly useful definition...

Motivation centers around being absolutely convinced regarding the consequences of your adequacy or inadequacy at improving your performance. Put simply, you've got to find the strongest reasons that make you stick to at least the minimum daily requirements for weight loss progress. Without necessary motivation, your effort succumbs to the "half-baked" style for getting things done.

More often than not, individuals remain just a few mere points away from reaching their threshold breaking potential on a consistent basis. And, motivation (that is, the kind we just talked about) in such cases gives you the added intellectual "spark" that ignites the flame for more intense activity almost "exactly" when you need it.

Such an advantage can literally make the difference between, let's say, pumping out a 50-minute aerobic sessions at 125 heart beats per minute, or only performing a 25-minute session at only a mere 115 heart beats per minute. That's a gain or loss of about 325 extra calories in your per-day workout.

When adopting the first example above, your "motivated" session style gets you the added advantage of losing about 300 "extra" calories per day. That gives you a total of approximately 500 calories lost on each workout day.

This eventually translates to 22 pounds of extra body fat lost per year!

Thorough aerobic targeted training workouts can offer you up to 10 or more calories per minute of fat burning potential. Yet, the average person usually only reaches 5 or 6 calories per minute during a normal workout.

Therefore, implement motivation to take you farther. Use your intentionally focused and direct weight loss clarity to achieve markedly improved fat-burning results.

In Summary

Are you clear now? There's a lot of information out there. But the hidden secret is to become aware of those "other" factors (like the ones we've mentioned here) that contribute equally, if not more, to the way you approach losing weight through healthy lifestyle changes.

You can see that clarity is about knowledge... wisdom is a process involving awareness, accountability, and action. Make every reasonable attempt to see your way CLEARLY through to weight loss success.

Weight Loss and Exercise Myths -- Test Your Fitness IQ

You've tried virtually every "diet" you can think of and still haven't lost weight. Or, perhaps you've lost weight only to quickly gain it back. You feel like you are in a never-ending battle that you just can't win. Does this sound familiar? Stop beating yourself over the head in frustration!

More than likely you just aren't armed with the right information to help you be successful in reaching your weight loss goals. There are so many diet misnomers floating about that it's easy to feel like your drowning. The first step toward success is distinguishing fact from myth and using the power of knowledge.

To help you get started on the path to permanent weight loss and healthy living, read below to learn what's true and what's false in the world of diet and fitness. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge and you'll learn what it really takes to beat the scale. Read each question and answer true or false. Then read below to find out whether or not you guessed right.

1. Skipping Meals Is a Good Idea
2. You Can Spot Reduce Certain Parts of Your Body
3. Eating Late At Night Makes You Fat
4. If Something Is Fat Free, You Can Eat As Much As You Want
5. Eating Less Than 1200 Calories Will Accelerate Weight Loss
6. Salads Are Always A Great Eating Out Choice
7. You Can Lose and Maintain Weight Without Exercise
8. If You Only Lose One Pound A Week You Need A New Diet
9. You Shouldn't Exercise Every Day
10. You Should Wait To Strength Train Until You've Lost Weight

1. False. The idea behind this myth is that you'll consume fewer calories in the entire day. The reality is that you probably will consume at least the same amount, if not more. Skipping a meal lowers your blood sugar. Low blood sugar usually makes you very hungry. In return you end up eating quickly and probably making poor food choices when those hunger pains come a knocking. Eating several small meals per day helps you stabilize blood sugars and control your appetite.

2. False. If you slave over 200 sit ups a day, it still isn't going to get rid of your spare tire. Fat is lost evenly throughout the body. You can't focus on one body part and only work it in an attempt to reduce that fatty area. To help a trouble spot you must focus on overall fitness - aerobic workouts, strength training, good nutrition and more. That's the only way to reduce extra fat.

3. False. Your body doesn't determine your weight based on WHEN you eat. It just cares how much you eat. What's important is determining how many calories are coming in versus how many are going out. You need to find the right balance based on how much your eating and exercising. If you take in more calories than you burn, then the extras will be stored as fat. That's true whether you eat at night or not.

4. False. For the most part, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. Sure, it is a little more complex than that but just keep in mind that for every extra 3,500 calories that you take in and don't burn off, you will gain a pound. Does it matter if all of those 3,500 calories are fat-free? No! Your body just cares that the extra calories were consumed. Plus, fat makes you feel full. If you don't eat enough of it, you may find yourself constantly hungry and you may end up consuming more calories than if you had eaten something with fat in it to begin with.

5. False. In fact, it may have the opposite effect. Too few calories per day causes your body to adapt to a minimal amount of food, and slows down your metabolic rate. The body may think it's "starving" and actually hold onto every bit of food to ensure survival. Then, when you begin to eat normally, your calorie needs are reduced and you end up gaining more weight even though you are consuming less food.

6. False. Sometimes you'd be better of eating a burger than a salad. Many restaurant salads are dripping in high calorie, high fat dressings. Plus, they often add fatty toppings like croutons and bacon bits. If you are going to choose a salad, be sure the dressing and extras don't sabotage your calorie counting.

7. True. When it comes right down to it, weight loss is about the difference between intake and output. As long as you are burning more calories then you are consuming, then you should be able to lose weight. So, exercise isn't a necessity but it certainly is the best approach. Study after study has proven that groups that both maintain an appropriate calorie intake and also exercise have better weight loss successes and are better at keeping it off. Plus, exercising provides SO many health benefits it would be crazy not to include it as part of a healthy lifestyle.

8. False. Losing 1-2 pounds per week is actually an excellent weight loss rate. If you lose more than that, then it's very likely that it won't be permanent. You'll just end up gaining it back. When you lose at rapid paces, typically you end up losing water weight and lean mass. You want to lose fat. So, even though the scale may show less, you won't be as healthy and won't look as good.

9. True. It's not necessary to exercise every single day of the week. Sure, it's great if you can get some type of physical activity in on a daily basis. But, it also is important to give your body rest time to recover and improve. For example, you don't want to lift weights every day working the same muscles. They need time to rest. And, intense cardio workouts daily can wear you down. Resting one day a week can actually help you.

10. False. Strength training is an essential part of good fitness. Virtually everyone should include some type of strength training in their weekly workouts regardless of whether they are wanting to lose weight, just maintain it, or build muscle. And, muscle actually helps your metabolism (e.g. helps you burn calories), so you should do it as part of a weight loss program.

Wanting To Lose Weight, Why Not Go Go Herbal

These days, there is a great deal of pressure for overweight people aroundthe world to lose those excess pounds. Being closer to their ideal weight would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load, and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal.

Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:

1. Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

> Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.

> Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

> St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2. Organic food.

Around the world organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.

A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.

This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.

Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. Immortality Herb

This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

> increases healthy blood flow

> reduces artery blocks

> aids healthy blood pressure

> increases the rate of fat burning

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

> weight loss

> improved cholesterol level

> improved high blood pressure

> helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis

Weight Loss Dillemma: Depressed If You Do, Depressed If You Don't

There are many reasons why people become depressed, especially with all the pressures and demands of 21st century living. People get the blues when they get passed over for that promotion that they've been aiming for because management wanted someone younger and livelier. There's that beautiful girl you've always wanted to have a relationship with, who turns out to be more interested in your sister than you. Not every situation that can make a person sad or melancholic can also cause depression, turning a person into the emotional health equivalent of a 50-car pile-up on a busy highway.

However, there are a few things you'd never expect to actually be the cause of a person feeling depressed. One example of this would be weight loss pills, some of which have recently been found to cause people to become depressed. In a world where weight and appearance are major concerns, to the point that some people become obsessed with achieving the “perfect” weight, medication that helps attain becomes so materially valuable, and expensive in terms of real dollars and cents.

But what happens when that same drug causes a problem that, in theory, it is supposed to prevent? British and Danish researchers have managed to independently confirm that one particular diet pill, Acomplia, can cause depression. According to the study, there was a significant increase in the risk of various emotional disorders during use of the drug, with residual effects manifesting after regular use has been discontinued. The study found that the people who were given the actual drug during the testing period were 2.5 times more likely to develop some sort of emotional disorder than those who were given a placebo. Patients given Acomplia were also more likely to develop anxiety or emotional problems than those who were given a placebo.

Recently, US health authorities decided not to allow Acomplia to be marketed in the States because of the possible psychological effects it might have. This was reportedly decided before the findings conducted by Danish researchers were published in the Lancet Journal. Physicians of people who have already used the medication are advised to be on the lookout for any signs of these psychological effects, with suicidal thoughts and depressive behavior being given particular notice. There were other effects that, in theory, could be just as severe, but were less likely to manifest without long-term use.

According to the study, the drug did have appreciable effects on combating obesity. All those who were subjected to the study and given the actual medication lost weight over the one-year period. However, there was a remarkable 40% increased risk of developing emotional disorders, with the potential for more permanent psychological damage. This was on top of both the weight loss and positive cardiovascular effects that maintained use of the medication provided. However, most medical authorities concede that the positive effects may not effectively outweigh the negative potential of prolonged use of the drug.

For the time being, the study is shown to have cast doubt on the relative safety of people using the drug. Most authorities are still considering further study before making a final decision, prompting medical professionals to simply watch out for signs of a deeper problem forming. However, there is definite cause for a pull-out of the drug from several markets should further evidence show that Acomplia does more harm than good. Similar studies have been conducted for various other weight loss drugs, but they have not yielded any noticeable negative psychological effects.

There are, however, a number of safe and effective weight loss products available in the market. With proper consultation with a doctor or health care professional, a weight watcher can access these slimming products without having to worry about possible side effects.

weight Loss can help you Cure many Diseases and Conditions

Excessive weight is a house of diseases. Research shows that regular physical activity helps with weight loss and can therefore reduce your risk for several diseases and conditions and improve your overall quality of life. Regular physical activity can help protect you from the following health problems.

Heart Disease and Stroke: Daily physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke by strengthening your heart muscle, lowering your blood pressure, raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (good cholesterol) and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (bad cholesterol), improving blood flow, and increasing your heart's working capacity.

High Blood Pressure: Regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure in those with high blood pressure levels. Physical activity also reduces excess weight, which is associated with high blood pressure.

Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes: By reducing excess body weight, physical activity can help prevent and control this type of diabetes.

Obesity: Physical activity helps reduce body fat by building or preserving muscle mass and improving the body's ability to use calories. When physical activity is combined with proper nutrition, it can help control weight and prevent obesity, a major risk factor for many diseases.

Back Pain: By increasing muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and posture, regular exercise helps prevent back pain.

Osteoporosis: Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation and may prevent many forms of bone loss associated with ageing.

Studies on the psychological effects of exercise have found that regular physical activity can improve your mood' and the way you feel about yourself. Researchers have also found that exercise is likely to reduce depression and. anxiety and help you to better manage stress.

Keep these health benefits in mind when deciding whether or not to exercise. And remember, any amount of physical activity you do is better than none at all.

Types of Activities

Endurance Activities: (4-7 days a week)

Endurance activities help your heart, lungs and circulatory system stay healthy and give you more energy. They range from walking and household chores to organized exercise programmes and recreational sports.

Here are some examples to get you thinking about how to increase your endurance activities:

* Walking

* Yard and garden work

* Cycling

* Skating

* Swimming

* Tennis

* Dancing

Flexibility Activities: (4-7 days a week)

Flexibility activities help you move easily, keeping your muscles relaxed and your joints mobile. Regular flexibility activities can help you live better and longer, so that your quality of life and independence are maintained even as you get older. Flexibility activities include gentle reaching, bending, and stretching of all muscle groups.

Here are some ideas to help you increase your flexibility activities:

* Gardening

* Mopping the floor

* Yard work

* Vacuuming

* Stretching exercises

* Golf

* Bowling

* Yoga

* Curling

* Dance

Strength Activities: (2-4 days a week)

Strength activities help your muscles and bones stay strong, improve your posture and help prevent diseases like osteoporosis. Strength activities are those that make you work your muscles against some kind of resistance, like when you push or pull hard to open a heavy door.

To ensure good overall strength, try to do a combination of activities that exercise the muscles in your arms, mid-section, and legs. Strive for a good balance - upper body and lower body, right and left sides, and opposing muscle groups (e.g., both the front and back of the upper arm).

Here are some ideas to increase your strength activities:

* Heavy yard work

* Raking and carrying leaves

* Lifting and carrying groceries (not to mention infants and toddlers!)

* Climbing stairs

* Exercises like abdominal curls and push-ups

* Weight/strength-training routines

Duration of Exercise

For the greatest overall health benefits, experts recommend that you do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type ,of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week. However, if you are unable to do this level of activity, you can gain substantial health benefits by performing 30 minutes or more of moderate to intense physical activity a day, at least five times a week.

If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to start with less strenuous activities such as walking or swimming at a comfortable pace. Beginning at a slow pace will allow you to become physically fit without straining your body. Once you are in better shape, you can gradually do more strenuous activity.

Weight Loss At Work: Non-Food Rewards

The e-mail comes out at noon. "To celebrate your hard work this week, there is cake and ice cream in the big kitchen at 3 today. Be there!"

The universal reward for hard work always seems to be food: cake and ice cream, a catered lunch for in-service training sessions, pizza for the overtime crew, bagels and cream cheese to brighten up a bleak Monday morning.

Food seems to be the perennial favorite for any kind of work reward because it is universally accepted. Some of us (we hard core dieters) may pass on the sweet stuff but usually find something allowable. In a world where two thirds of us are overweight or obese, is there nothing else available as a gift that cuts across all individual interests?

Recently, we had a whole week at my company devoted to employee appreciation. The primary rewards were, of course, food but other things were added: a company baseball cap, a hiking water container, a lunch bag, and a handwritten note of thanks to every employee from their supervisor. The cap was a bust for those of us with any modicum of fashion sense; the insulated flask and bag were food related, and the handwritten notes were superfluous - good supervisors show their appreciation of hard work constantly while a handwritten note from a harsh supervisor, no matter the "thanks" stated, means diddly squat to a resentful employee.

The HAS to be something else, doesn't there? We human beings have few things totally in common and eating is the primary universal. Other common bodily activities such as urination and defecation are not easily translatable into some kind of reward system. We are all involved in physical activity, to some degree, but that is often more a chore than a delight.

When it comes to our other senses, we all differ so much that one person's pleasure is another person's pain: music, perfume, pictures, or massages are differential tastes rather than general givens.

Money is almost always acceptable but the small amounts that would be individually generated to replace a free dessert or snack would be so minimal that their reward value would be insignificant.

So what can those of us on a permanent diet, and alarmed about our coworkers' increased girth, suggest?

How about plants? Small individual pots or a larger department shrub would save our waistlines while adding to the health and esthetics of our environment. I calculate, just within my call center, that if a plant had been given to each department, instead of an edible goodie, for celebrations over the past 5 years, that I would now be working in a lush rain forest of exotic plants where the stale re-processed air conditioned air would be purer, more humid, and a thousand times fresher. Morale booster and health benefits in one fell swoop!

How about the gift of time? In our overly busy pressured lives, who would not be immensely grateful for a free hour here or there. Rotate it through each department, letting one or two people leave early on a Friday afternoon. That would means something and would carry no cost so upper management should be ecstatic.

Instead of a handwritten note, how about getting Supervisors to perform their subordinates work duties for an hour or so, once in a while? Can you imagine the morale boost for an employee to get off the telephone, or the machine, or the computer, and shoot the breeze with friends for an hour while their duties are performed by their supervisors? And if mistakes are made - so much the better. It creates a sense of equality and inter-relationship between workers and supervisors that is generally lacking in a corporate environment.

How about free "Get out of jail" cards for every line worker? Each person gets one free card and additional cards can be given by supervisors for outstanding work, ensuring that the better workers have more cards. The cards can then be used as excuses for small transgressions - coming in a little late, leaving early, making minor mistakes. With the use of the card, a worker avoids verbal coaching, warnings, or being put on report. And let employees use their cards for coworkers who may need them - think of the teambuilding that would accomplish!

Flexibility of hours, assignments, and days, is another area where workers will universally respond: not to money, or food, but to accommodation of individual needs. Give each employee a wish card and then allow them to use it to get something they need.

What does all of this accomplish? It allows for employee rewards without fats and carbohydrates. Now isn't that worthwhile?

P. S. I'm recommending this to my company. I'll let you know if they buy it!

Weight Loss Diary 11

From March 11 thru 17

Back to reality this week with the shock news that my weight did not go down enough to report; probably no more than a few ounces (around 50 grams). Hence I’m sad to report that my weight still stands at 188 pounds (93 kilos). I guess I became a little too complacent after the better than expected results of the previous few weeks. This raises the big question of who, or what, is to blame?

As I live by the rule that I am responsible for all that goes wrong, as well as all that goes right, in my life then it stands to reason that I am to blame. Because I am to blame for a poor week then I know that it is within my power to turn that around in the coming week. That’s the great thing about accepting responsibility – you can always turn things around. People that avoid responsibility rarely turn things around.

So what happened to the positive momentum? Without using this as an excuse I have suffered a slight cold for the past week and have not been exercising at the rate I have become used to. Exercise has been a major part of my calorie burn-off routine. This has been offset slightly by the fact that whilst feeling unwell I haven’t eaten as much either. Probably this explains why my weight has remained the same rather than increasing; my calorie intake has been lower and I guess I reached the perfect balance of weight neutrality this week. That’s fine when my weight is where I want it to be but right now I still need to lose 8 pounds (3.9 kilos) to reach my target weight.

In this coming week I will not attempt to lose more than my target 1 pound (450 grams) because when you start playing catch up it throws the entire routine and places you under greater pressure. Psychologically it is better to accept that I did not reach my target last week and move on.

This week nothing will change, my target is one pound, my exercise sessions will still be three per week and I will still strive to put more aerobic action into my normal day.

Weight Gain And Obesity - The Signs And The Cures

Weight gain and obesity are among the chief health concerns in the developed world today, with over 60 million people in the United States affected by obesity.

Adults usually gain weight as a result of an increase in storage fat or lean body mass. Obesity and weight problems to people whose weight increases due to too much storage fat.

Although too much body fat is a bad thing and can lead to obesity, we all need it in certain amounts. It stores energy, insulates the body and protects organs, but most people have more than they really need.

There are many reasons why people become overweight. Some people inherit it genetically, others overeat, while stopping smoking, lack of exercise, too much alcohol or not enough exercise can also be contributing factors.

The symptoms of being overweight can also easily be spotted. These include:

* heartburn

* shortness of breath when exercising

* difficulty in walking and moving around

* depression or other emotional problems

* aching back and knees

* coronary heart disease

* irregular heartbeat

* swelling of the feet or legs

* increased cholesterol levels

* diabetes

* osteoarthritis in some joints

* increased blood pressure

How can you deal with obesity?

The two main causes of obesity are the consumption of pre-packaged and junk foods, and a lack of exercise and outdoor activities.

It has now become a very serious problem in Western societies. It has been recorded in some European countries that school uniforms for children and teenagers are, on average, being produced in larger sizes.

Obesity in society is a complex problem and there are many causes. However, for most people, a few lifestyle changes can reverse the ill-effects of obesity. If you suffer from obesity, reaching your healthy weight is an attainable goal, no matter how daunting it may seem at first.

Diet

Whether you go it alone or look for the help and advice of a dietitian, you need to examine your diet. Cutting back on the amount you eat or changing the types of food you eat can make a big difference.

However, crash diets are not the answer. You should be able to eat a healthy, tasty, balanced diet and lose weight at the same time. The food pyramid will show you how to meet all your nutritional needs.

Pick a healthy meal plan that is low in calories and suits your taste. Try to stick to this and do not to give into temptation. Eating healthily does not mean you can not eat well so check out some cook books on how to spice up healthy meals.

Exercise

Exercising regularly is a vital part of losing weight. Not only will it help you lose weight, it will keep you feeling healthier and happier, and you will have much more energy for the things you enjoy doing. Although it may not seem like an attractive prospect at first, you will be glad you did it once you get into the habit.

Doctors recommend that we do some form of exercise that increases our heart rate for at least 30 minutes every day. Not only will this help you lose the pounds, it also burns off toxins in the body that can make you ill, and prevent any number of health problems.

Do not bite off more than you can chew. The trick is to start slowly. Walking is an excellent form of exercise. Start with short distances and you will soon be comfortable walking, or even jogging, for a few miles.

Of course, there are many, many sports and activities you can take part in. Tennis, dancing, martial arts, football, the list is endless.

If you are unsure about it, try going along to your local gym and talk to a personal trainer who will take you through the first steps and come up with a plan that will bring you back to full fitness and help you lose the pounds.

Losing weight is not always easy. Most likely you will have to make some significant changes in your lifestyle. You may have to abstain from some of your favorite foods and be active when you just feel like watching some TV. However, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy life.

Also remember that your actions will have a knock-on effect on those around you. If you are fit and healthy, your family and friends will be more likely go be fit and healthy so you will be doing a lot of good.

Obesity is a big problem in the United States today and for many people it is something they can not avoid. However, for many of us it is a choice we make, a choice about our lifestyle. We owe it to ourselves and those around us to choose a healthy lifestyle that involves good eating and exercise.

Weight Loss Advice For Men

If diet and weight are as important to health and wellbeing as experts believe, American men need to make changes to what they eat and how often they exercise. They are too overweight and suffer years of ill-health despite the fact that per capita health funding is the highest in the world. The statistics make interesting reading. First, an estimated 27.7 percent of American males aged 20-74 years are obese. By comparison, obesity affects 19 percent of Australian men, 12 percent of French men and only 3.6 percent of Japanese. Second, the average life span of American men is 74.9 years, (Japan 77.8) of which an estimated 8 years are lived in ill-health (Japan 6.5). Also significant are the negative health effects of the American diet on male immigrants from countries such as Japan, who typically experience a noticeable rise in diet-related illness such as obesity and heart disease.

Health Effects of Obesity In Men
Obesity has several adverse health effects. The most serious dangers include hypertension, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, although joint problems and psychosocial hardship can also be very distressing.

Obesity is a serious risk factor for hypertension, which affects 7 out of 10 obese men, and develops as follows. As the amount of fat tissue in the body increases, the heart is forced to pump more blood around the body in order to meet the extra demand for additional oxygen and nutrients. As this extra blood passes through the arteries, it increases pressure on the arterial walls, leading to higher blood pressure. Hypertension, which is sometimes referred to as "the silent killer", is a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease.

Obesity is also classified as a major risk factor for heart disease, with almost 70 percent of diagnosed cases occurring in obese patients. The prevalence of atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries) is 10 times higher in obese men compared to those who are not obese. This type of coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits build up on the walls of arteries that supply the heart, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack.

Although the link is not fully understood, there is a clear association between obesity in men and an increased risk of colon and prostate cancers. It may be due to specific eating habits, such as overconsumption of red meat allied with an insufficiency of antioxidant-rich foods like fresh fruit and vegetables. The prevalence of prostate cancer in American males is 18.7 per 100,000, compared to 10.2 in Japanese men.

Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes. Almost 8 out of 10 type 2 diabetics are obese. Even mild obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes. Weight gain after the age of 18 is a particular contributor. Obesity is also closely associated with insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels and pre-diabetes.

Abdominal Obesity Even More Dangerous
While obesity in general is a major predictor of serious ill-health in men, abdominal obesity - excess fat around the stomach - is an added health risk, which is bad news for men as they typically store fat around their middle. Men under stress are doubly at risk as stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol which appears to stimulate fat storage around the stomach and abdomen. Abdominal obesity is one of a number of interlinked conditions (the others being high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high levels of inflammatory and clotting components in the blood) that comprise the condition known as metabolic syndrome. This disorder has been identified as a complex risk factor for cardiovascular disease. An estimated 1 in 3 of overweight or obese men have metabolic syndrome.

Health Benefits of Modest Weight Reduction
Although untreated obesity may have serious health consequences, even modest weight loss can bring noticeable health benefits. For example, a weight loss of as little as 10-20 pounds can eliminate the need for hypertension or type 2 diabetes medication. In addition, it can raise HDL cholesterol (the good blood-fats) reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (the bad blood-fats) and thus reduce the risk of heart disease. Even so, the more weight you can lose in a steady sustained way, the greater the health improvements, especially if you can reduce the amount of fat around your middle.

Diet Advice For Men
A nutritious calorie-controlled diet is the foundation for lasting weight loss. And don't worry about cutting down on junk food. In my experience, a person's appetite for high-fat or high-sugar foods falls dramatically within a couple of weeks of healthy eating. So if you want to lose weight but can't enjoy a meal without a huge slab of fatty red meat, a large helping of mayo, or a bag of tortilla chips, try switching to a healthier diet for 2 weeks and see what a difference it makes to your taste buds.

(1) Improve Your Health And Save Money
Instead of simply cutting calories and thinking "I must diet", make a point of choosing healthy foods and think "I want to eat healthily". You may even motivate yourself by focusing on the reduced health insurance costs you will achieve by getting into shape.

(2) Personalize Your Eating Plan
There is no single diet plan that fits every man. Moreover, eliminating all your favorite foods is not a winning weight loss strategy. As long as your regular daily diet is calorie-controlled (1500-1850 calories) and contains enough healthy foods, you should be able to include a few treats without interfering with your weight reduction. If the idea of joining Weight Watchers doesn't appeal, customize an online diet plan or seek an individualised eating plan from a registered dietitian.

(3) Healthy Eating Guidelines For Men
As a general guide, choose foods which are low in fat - especially saturated or trans-fats - low in sodium, and less refined. To be more specific, eat at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables - more is better. Also, eat a wide variety of both, because different fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients. Eat whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread rather than white rice and white bread. Whole grain foods are richer in nutrients and higher in both soluble and insoluble fiber compared to more processed products. Their extra fiber content means they help to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, which reduces the risk of appetite swings and cravings. Go easy on fat. Enjoy low fat dairy products - remember, full-fat cheese is a huge source of saturated fat - and don't add extra fat to food in the form of mayo or sour cream. Stay away from chips and other high-fat, high sodium snack foods.

(4) Men Who Enjoy Red Meat
Red meat, like beef, lamb and pork, is highly nutritious. Unfortunately, it's also one of the main sources of saturated fat - the type implicated in atherosclerotic heart disease. If you enjoy red meat, make sure you remove all visible fat before eating, and limit your intake to 3-4 3-ounce servings per week. Fish is a healthy alternative protein source, especially oily fish like mackerel, herring and salmon, as is skinless chicken and turkey.

(5) Eating Out For Men
If you are serious about losing weight, be extra-choosy when dining out or ordering take-out food. Here are some important tips. (1) Do not order deep-fried food. (2) Look for light appetizers, such as salads, non-creamy soups, fish platter. (3) Avoid entrees with sauces. If necessary, ask for them "on the side". Choose plain fish, broiled lean steak, or tomato-based pasta. (4) Make sure half your plate contains vegetables, without added oil or butter. (5) For dessert, choose any fresh fruit dish, and if offered cream say No. If these suggestions are too arduous, it may be best to skip eating out until you feel more confident.

(6) Men Who Enjoy Alcohol
For many men, giving up alcohol is a complete No-No. So let me give you some facts and you can choose accordingly. To begin with, alcohol contains zero nutrition. In addition, its calorie content is quite high - about 7 calories per gram. Drinking one regular Martini per day adds up to about 58,400 calories per year - the equivalent of about 16.5 pounds of body fat. One beer a day amounts to nearly as much. A better option is one 4oz glass of wine a day, which contains about half the calories of a Martini. Another problem to consider if you are male, is the contribution that alcohol makes to your fat stomach. In my experience, overweight drinkers who give up alcohol experience an immediate reduction in their stomach size, which is very good news for their health.

Weight Reduction Exercise For Men
Men typically do not find it easy to incorporate regular physical exercise into their daily schedule. More than 50 percent of American men do not take enough physical activity. Which is not good news because the medical benefits of regular exercise are compelling. Keeping active is one of the most effective methods of protecting ourselves against serious disease, and maintaining a good quality of life. This introduces the basic male dilemma. In order to achieve a comfortable standard of living for himself and his family, a man typically has to spend extra hours working instead of exercising. But by not exercising he runs a much higher risk of serious disease, a crippling rise in insurance bills, as well as an illness-prone retirement. No easy choices here, I'm afraid, although the rational decision must be to make exercise a higher priority. This is particularly true for men over 40. For men who really want to lose weight, I suggest you first see your doctor for a quick check-up. Then, if all is well, I advise you start with 45 minutes/day of light exercise. Do this for 2-3 weeks or until you notice obvious benefits such as improved breathing, sleeping and appetite. Then gradually increase the duration and intensity of your training program up to 60 minutes a day. The best way to avoid overstrain is to loosen up with stretches at the beginning of each exercise session, and wind down with stretches afterwards.

Improved Lifestyle For Men
Quitting smoking is the top priority for any man with weight-related health problems. Another essential improvement is stress reduction or at least better stress management. This is because any stress which leads to a feeling that life is out of control, is a major contributor to disordered eating, excessive alcohol intake and disease, as well as family problems. Moving to a less stressful job, reducing your work schedule, or taking regular physical exercise are useful ways to reduce stress, and will definitely assist weight loss and general health. Spending more time with your family is also a great stress reliever.

Weight Loss Diary Day 4

This the third day of dieting in my weight loss program and it will be the last daily report in this series of articles to avoid you becoming bored with repetition. By now you will have the idea that I only give up one type of food each day and in general eat what I please - within reason. The caveat is that you must be aware of serving sizes because it is due to over-generous serving sizes that the majority of us are dieting. In future I will publish three articles each week rather than seven. If you have a question you wish to ask please use the comments link at the bottom to list your question and I will reply to all questions.

Today I will not eat any potatoes or potato products. Because I exercised yesterday I will not exercise today but will remain aware of things like parking as far from the supermarket entrance as possible and using stairs rather than escalators. - This now a part of my daily routine.

· Today started as normal by walking to the village to pick up my daily newspaper. This walk is now extended to approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers)

· Breakfast is cornflakes with mixed dried fruits and nuts and milk and a banana and lime smoothie. (When I first wake up, before going to buy my newspaper, I drink a large glass of water. - This isn't compulsory but water has zero calories.)

· 10.30am I stop work to take a cup of lemon green tea.

· 11.30am feeling peckish and I eat a raw carrot.

· 1pm and its time for lunch. Lunch is a ham and salad sandwich on whole-grain bread, an apple, a banana and a glass of fruit juice.

· After lunch I walk for ten-minutes, just a casual walk to help digest the food.

· 6pm is dinnertime, I like to eat early. Today was Filet Mignon with French beans and asparagus. My wife had a couple of boiled potatoes with her meal while I left a space on my plate where they would have been. (This diet is really so easy to contend with because I can have potatoes tomorrow if I please.)

Hopefully the people that have joined me on this weight loss program are starting to settle to the new routine by now and starting to become vigilant about serving sizes. I just want to repeat that during this period there is definitely no beer or drinks that fizz, even if they have sugar free or low calorie etc. printed on the label. Just accept that these drinks are a weight watchers biggest headache and do no good for your diet at any time.

Next article will cover two days and be published two days from now.

This article is copyright © David McCarthy, 2006. It may be reproduced in its entirety with and additions.

Weight Loss - 10 Ways To Cut Calories

Use fruit purees instead of butter 2. Eat cheese but get rid of the fat 3. Don’t exercise before meals 4. Eating in front of the TV is bad for you 5. Always have a breakfast 6. Fructose is better than glucose 7. Bad fats are not good for you 8. Use skim milk rather than whole 9. Don’t have more than four egg yolks a week 10. Before cooking, trim all the fat from meat

Substitute Fruit Purees Instead of Butter

If when eating mashed potatoes, adding fruit puree instead of butter, will cut down the calories and give your mashed potatoes a different but pleasant flavour.

Eat Cheese But Discard The Fat

Cheese is good for you; it’s full of calcium. But it is also full of fat.

Get rid of the fat by putting the cheese into the microwave for about 10 seconds, then drain off the fat and grease. (Be careful not to leave it in the microwave too long, unless you want Welsh Rarebit). Or alternatively, you could buy a cheese that has less fat in it.

Don’t Exercise Before Meals

If you exercise before meals you are just making yourself hungrier as you are burning the fat. So to satiate your hunger, you will eat more. A better idea is to exercise after eating. Then your body has to work harder to digest the food. WARNING: Don’t exercise immediately after a meal, or you will make yourself sick. Exercise an hour after eating.

Eating While Watching The TV Is Bad For You

You can so easily overeat. The programme you are watching may be so exciting and you are engrossed in it, you won’t be aware of what you are eating.

Always Eat A Breakfast

Breakfast is the first meal of the day. The word Breakfast = Break Fast. You probably have had nothing to eat since supper the night before. So you are Breaking The Fast.

Your body will burn more calories if you eat breakfast.

Fructose is Better Than Glucose

Drinking Water With Fructose (Fruit Juices) rather than Glucose, will act as an appetite suppressant. Drinking a glass of orange juice an hour before eating will take the edge off your appetite.

Bad Fats Are Not Good For You

Bad fats are Trans Fatty Acids. Many margarines are Trans Fat. Butter is not.

When cooking use cooking oil instead.

Read the labels on the food you buy. If you see the words Hydrogenated Oils run a mile as this means it contains Trans Fatty Acids. As a bonus, running that mile will use up some calories.

Use Skim Milk Rather Than Whole

Drinking Whole Milk means you are drinking the cream and this of course is extra calories. Switching to Skim Milk will still give you all the goodness of milk, without the fat.

Don’t Have More Than Four Egg Yolks A Week

Do you remember the Advert on TV ‘Go To Work On An Egg’ personally I think you’d be more comfortable on the bus, but there is no accounting for taste.

Seriously, the white of an egg (the Albumen) is full of the wrong kinds of fat. So better to have the yellow part of the egg (the Yolk) and then only a maximum of four times a week.

Before Cooking Trim All The Fat From The Meat

If you love your meat, by trimming all the fat off it before cooking will cut down your calories intake dramatically. Or alternatively, eat skinless chicken or fish.