Sleep your weight away

September 12th, 2007

Until recently, being obese has been attributed to having a poor diet,suffering from hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, lack of exerciseand physical activity, etc., but never to a lack of sleep. Now, severalnew clinical studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation alsoplays a large part in making both children and adults obese.

One study cited by the American Chronicle found that kids that wentto bed late gained weight more easily than kids that had an early bedtime. In fact the study demonstrated that with just one extra hour ofsleep, kids can reduce their risk of becoming obese by an incredible 30to 36 percent. Furthermore, it was found that teenagers are sleepingless than they should. The US National Sleep Foundation recommends thatyoungsters ages 5 to 12, need about 11 hours of sleep and teenagersneed about 9 hours. The study found that the average teenager ages 13to 18 is getting only about 7 hours of sleep, which is two hours lessthan the recommended minimum. This makes teens more prone to becomingoverweight.

Another study cited by Ian Johnston of the Scotsman, found thatwomen that get less than five hours of sleep are very much at risk ofbecoming overweight. The study titled “The Nurses Health Study” ran forabout 16 years and tracked approximately 70,000 women who recordedtheir weight every two years. The findings were astonishing. Women thataveraged only five hours of sleep at night were 32 percent more proneto gaining an incredible 33 pounds .

Women are not the only ones at risk, however. A combinedinvestigation between Karine Spiegel from the University of Brussels ofBelgium and Van Cauter from the University of Chicago found that mensleeping less than 7 to 8 hours a day are more at risk of becomingobese and / or of suffering from diabetes. They performed an experimenton male patients, restricting sleep for two days, and found that sleepdeprivation altered two hormones named ghrelin and leptin which areresponsible for a person’s appetite. It is believed that the increasein ghrelin and the decrease in leptin suffered by sleep deprivedpatients cause them to crave more food and therefore eat more.

Another hormone altered by a lack of sleep is cortisol. Sleepdeprivation apparently causes the brain to instruct this hormone tostore excess caloriesas fat. Sugar levels are usually also higher in patients that sleepless than they should. Patients getting less sleep usually feel theneed for a sugar rush to give them energy. The increase in glucoselevels promotes excess insulin production and puts the patient more atrisk of becoming diabetic. Furthermore, if the sugar is not burned offsoon enough it will be turned into fat.

 

With all the evidence linking obesity to sleep deprivation



, it isimportant to analyze if our own sleeping patterns are putting us atrisk. Adults need around 8 hours of sleep. Getting a good night sleepwill not only reduce excessive daytime sleepiness but will also help usstay fit.

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Sauna Suits and Their Benefits

September 12th, 2007

Also, in the same book is an illustration by Albrecht Durer, entitled “Women in the Bath” in 1496. It is much like a sauna suit as can be seen by the wooden walls, the birch whisk, the pile of stones on the stove and the wooden tubs.

In the world of weight loss and detoxification, an increasing number of people are taking notice to the properties associated with sauna suits. Without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a home sauna or visit the nearest spa or gym to gain access, sauna suits aim to provide the same environment for people on the go. The same stimulating effects of heat associated with saunas are delivered in a jacket and pants ensemble that ultimately creates a great deal of sweat.

Numerous people use sauna suits to reduce weight, which occurs through a shedding of excess water. Sauna suits also aid people looking to detoxify their body, as impurities, chemicals, unwanted toxins, and other types of waste are also released through the amount of liquid extracted while wearing the suit. When used sparingly and with caution, many individuals are able to reap positive health benefits, but when abused and worn too long, a few disadvantages (which may seriously threaten your health) can occur.

Typical Sauna Suit Features

The average sauna suit is made of varying levels of nylon and plastic-like internal coatings. Some manufacturers have created their own line of coating (such as Teflite) specifically for the creation of sauna suits. Usually, the sweat suit is made with plastic zippers coated with a non-rust material. The cuffs are often elasticated and sometimes possess a drawstring waist attached to the jacket. Some sauna suit jackets and pants are constructed with pockets. Depending on the model, you may receive a stowaway hood, but almost all sauna suits possess a hi-seal collar, which intensifies the sweating process.

An elastic binding is placed on the waist, which helps seal in the heat and captures falling sweat. The ankles on the pants are also elasticated to elevate heat development and catch sweat. The entire makeup of the sauna suit is flexible and made to withstand rips and tears. While some sauna suits are produced as “one size fits all,” others are geared to specifically fit a male or a female. Common sizes include small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra large (XL), and extra extra large (XXL). A few sauna suits come in XXXL.

Using a Sauna Suit

As soon as you slip into a sauna suit, you almost instantly feel the increase of heat over your body and begin to detect trickles of sweat. These types of suits are constructed to help one lose weight by increasing the rate at which “fuel” is burned. The sweating not only assists weight loss, but also rids the body of unwanted substances in the system.

It is the theory that the food and fat lost through the creation of sweat is used up and will not return after you replenish your system with fresh water. In turn, one stands to lose weight quicker and faster. The sauna suit can be used during sessions of exercise, such as aerobics, riding a bike, jogging and running, or working out on a treadmill. Some people use the sauna suit while lifting weights to increase the flexibility and response in muscles.

Pros and Cons of Using a Sauna Suit

With short-term use, sauna suits help individuals shed excess water weight, jump start their weight loss goals, and cleanse their body of impurities. Usually, after a session of using a sauna suit, one feels rejuvenated and refreshed. Some claim an extra boost in energy is felt. Overall, a sauna suit makes a good accompaniment to a solid workout program that helps enhance results.

As for the cons associated with a sauna suit, improper usage can cause negative effects in health. In some individuals, their internal temperature may spike, causing complications such as stroke. Although a rare consequence, overdoing the use of a sauna suit can kill a user. When using a sauna suit, it is important to avoid weather with high temperatures, which intensifies the overall level of warmth affecting the body



, also increasing the chances of passing out or suffering heat stroke.

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Some Popular Weight Loss Products

September 12th, 2007

This should get you on the road to real weight loss of a permanent nature. Plants suitable to an herbal weight loss program abound. Happy herbal weight loss to you!

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. It poses many health risks as well as undermines a person’s self esteem and even subjects the person to certain types of discrimination. All told, more than half of American adults are overweight or obese and more than $30 billion a year is spent on weight loss products and services. This means that weight loss supplements are big business and the market is flooded with herbs, supplements and other weight loss products.

While some of these weight loss remedies work, many do not. When seeking an effective weight loss plan, you will likely have better luck with the natural remedies than you will with other products on the market. Many natural health products are viewed as “new” but, in fact, these weight loss aids have been around and in use for centuries. It is just that now these trends are being adopted by the western world.

HoodiaProducts such as SlimCiti Hoodia and Phentermine as well as HoodiElite are all popping up and skyrocketing Hoodia into a top position for one of the most popular weight loss supplements. These products receive great ratings for effectiveness and have very little side effects.

EphedraEphedra got a bad rap a few years ago due to people who abused the product and had some health problems as a result. Ephedra was banned for some time, but the ban has been lifted and it is making a comeback. When used correctly, ephedrine can be an effective weight loss aid.

Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar is a natural diuretic and it helps to speed up a metabolism that is slow. It also naturally curbs the appetite. This supplement has been used for centuries, but is being “rediscovered” in the United States and being touted as a very effective weight loss supplement. With its nutrient rich composition, the benefits of this supplement extend far beyond weight loss.

Green TeaGreen tea is a powerful antioxidant and is often used along with black tea and white tea as a very strong combination of ingredients that metabolize fat. These ingredients are said to increase the body’s ability to burn fat while increasing energy and strengthening the immune system.

Caralluma FimbriataThis member of the cactus family acts as a natural appetite suppressant. It has been used in India for centuries. It also helps to lower blood sugar but as a weight loss aid



, it receives high marks from users.

Yerba MateThis is another natural weight loss aid that has a thermogenic effect. Excess calories are burned more efficiently with yerba mate. It is often combined with other supplements such as caralluma fimbriata for optimum weight loss effects.

VermellaThis herbal extract comes from the leaves of the Gentianella alborosea plant. It has several properties that make it a great weight loss supplement. It is a natural appetite suppressant and it enhances the body’s metabolism. Studies have shown vermella to have the same weight loss effect as hoodia gordonii.

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Paint-by-Number or Masterpiece: Restrictive vs. Healthy Eating

September 12th, 2007

The difference between healthy eating and restrictive eating is the difference between a work of art and paint-by-number. Either way, you end up with a nice picture-until you get up close to take a look.

 

 

There is a harmful idea virus that has become so widespread, so ubiquitous, that it is accepted as normal. It has subtly integrated itself into our beliefs, our thoughts, our language, our behavior and our reality. It’s so pervasive that it has become “conventional wisdom” and almost no one questions it.

So What Is This Idea Virus?

It is the belief that restrictive eating is healthy eating. It usually starts with information about nutrition or weight management that mutates into rules and restriction. But the blurring of the line between healthy eating and restrictive eating is the difference between a work of art and paint-by-number. Either way, you end up with a nice picture-until you get up close to take a look.

Healthy Eating  vs.   Restrictive Eating

In Charge                    In Control

 

Nourishment               Diet

Fuel                             Calories

Quality                         Points

Healthy                        Skinny                                                       

Aware                          Preoccupied

Conscious                    Consumed

Mindful                         Vigilant

Information                 Dogma

Guide                           Rules

All foods fit                  Good or bad

Balance                       Perfection

Variety                        Temptation

Moderation                 Deprivation

Choosing                     Earning

Deciding                      Rationalizing

Flexible                        Rigid

Hunger based             By the clock

Comfort                       Portion sizes

Physical Activity           Penance

Effortless                    Willpower

Trust                            Fear

Learning                      Failing

Self-acceptance           Condemnation

Enjoyment                   Guilt   

Pleasure                      Shame

Freedom                      Bondage

The main reason that this virus is so powerful is that it has a built-in protective mechanism: the underlying belief that people who are overweight are incapable of handling freedom or choice. This belief ensures the survival of the virus because when you try to restrict yourself (or others) it actually leads to more cravings for the foods you’ve labeled “bad.” When you finally “give in,” you’re more likely to overeat, proving that you are incapable of handling freedom or choice leading to more restriction.

One of the reasons that this idea virus is so successful at replicating itself is that it initially appears to be beneficial to its host so many people will intentionally seek out. For many people that promote health, wellness and weight loss, “lifestyle change” and “healthy eating” have become euphemisms for “you’re going to be on this diet for the rest of your life.” The virus is so subtle and so ingrained that they usually don’t even realize that restriction is at the core of their message.

How is this Idea Virus Spread?

You are most prone to this virus if you’re overweight (or think you are). Everybody else that has the virus tries to give it to you in an effort to help you (or sell you something). It takes the form of rational suggestions, loving advice and even harsh criticism. 

The idea virus spreads vertically through advertising, television, magazines, books, the Internet and medical research. It is propagated by marketers, models, celebrities, reporters, experts, bloggers, researchers and legislators. It then spreads horizontally from doctor to patient, dietitian to client, friend to friend, wife to husband and parent to child. This virus is also swiftly moving from the United States to the rest of the world. 

How to Cure This Virus

Take a close look at the “picture of health” you’re painting. Is it constrained by rigid lines and someone else’s choice of colors? Or does it express your individuality, your preferences and your lifestyle? Choose now how you want to create your work of art. Here are some specific steps to rid yourself of the “restrictive eating is healthy eating” virus.

1.      Diagnose the virus. Filter everything you read, hear and say by asking, “Is this restrictive in nature?” (You might be surprised when you start to notice just how pervasive it really is!)

2.      Begin to monitor your little voice. (This virus is sneaky so it may be helpful to journal so you capture the real essence of your beliefs, thoughts, feelings and choices.)  When you notice restrictive eating thoughts from the second column above, gently replace them with true healthy eating thoughts from the first column.

3.      The virus may have you convinced that you are incapable of managing your weight without rigid rules. Find role models, health care providers and non-diet approaches that don’t propagate the virus. With time, support and new tools you can do it!

4.      Use nutrition information as a tool not a weapon. Remember, all foods fit into a healthy diet.

5.      Make the healthiest choice you can without feeling deprived. All foods fit using balance, variety and moderation.

6.      Let go of the belief that you need to eat perfectly - that is the virus talking. Accept that you’ll sometimes regret certain choices you make - that is part of healthy eating. When you don’t get caught up in guilt and shame



, you’re able to learn from your experiences.

7.      Repeat this often: “It’s just food and I can learn to trust and nourish myself without restriction.”

8.      Discover joy in creating your own masterpiece!

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Do Not Eat After 7 and Six Other Weight Management Myths

September 12th, 2007

Diets are often filled with confusing dogma. Learn the truth behind some of these old weight management myths.

Diets are filled with dogma about when, what and how much to eat. Certainly “the rules” are usually based on observations that make sense, but unless you understand why you do certain things, you’ll break the rules as soon as the temptation is greater than your motivation.

Let’s examine some of these myths, where they come from and how to make long term changes that will work for you.

Myth: Don’t Eat After 7pm

Your metabolism doesn’t shut off at 7:01 pm so why is this rule so common? It’s based on the observation that many people who struggle with their weight overeat in the evening. Most have already eaten dinner so they aren’t snacking because they’re hungry. They snack because of boredom, television, loneliness and other triggers.

Rather than creating a rule to address those habits, ask yourself “Am I hungry?” whenever you feel like eating in the evenings. If you truly are, eat, keeping in mind that your day is winding down so you won’t need a huge meal. If you aren’t, consider why you feel like eating and come up with a better way to address that need. Ken, a man in one of my workshops, realized he was just bored so he started doing stained glass in the evenings to entertain himself. Whatever works!

Myth: Eat Small Meals Every 3 Hours

This rule is based on the fact that many thin people tend to eat frequent small meals. However, most of the thin people I know don’t check their watch to tell them it’s time to eat - they eat when their body tells them to. They eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re satisfied. Since that tends to be a small meal, they get hungry again in a few hours.

Instead of watching the clock, begin to tune in to the physical symptoms of hunger to tell you when to eat. And remember, your stomach is only about the size of your fist so it only holds a handful of food comfortably. By learning to listen to your body’s signals, you are likely to follow a frequent small meal pattern naturally.

Myth: Don’t Let Yourself Get Hungry

This one is based on the belief that overweight people are incapable of controlling themselves when they’re hungry. In my experience with hundreds of workshop participants, once they learn to tell the difference between physical hunger and head hunger, the opposite is true.

Think about it. When you’re hungry, food tastes better and is more satisfying. My grandmother used to say, “Hunger is the best seasoning.” Besides, if you aren’t hungry when you start eating, what’s going to tell you to stop? Of course, you also need to learn to recognize hunger and make time to eat before you’re too hungry since it’s harder to make great choices when you’re starving!

Myth: Exercise More When You Cheat

I hate this one because it has caused millions of people to equate physical activity with punishment for eating. As a result, many people either hate to exercise or use exercise to earn the right to eat.

While it’s true that your weight is determined by your overall calories in versus your calories out, exercise is only part of the equation and has so many other important benefits. Instead of using exercise to pay penance, focus on how great you feel, how much more energy you have, how much better you sleep and how much healthier you’re becoming. In the long run, you are more likely to exercise because it feels good than because you’re forced to.

Myth: Follow Your Diet Six Days a Week Then You Can Have a Cheat Day

This is absurd! What if you were a harsh, overly strict parent six days a week then completely ignored your kids every Saturday? How would this approach work for your marriage or managing your employees?

It just doesn’t make sense to try to be perfect (whatever that is) Sunday through Friday while obsessing about everything you’re going to eat on your day off. Then on Saturday you overeat just because you’re allowed to so you end up feeling miserable all day. Huh? Personally, I’d rather enjoy eating the foods I love every day, mindfully and in moderation. I call this being “in charge” instead of going back and forth between being in control and out of control.

Myth: Eat X Number of Calories a Day

Does it make sense that you would need exactly the same amount of fuel every day? Aren’t there just days when you’re hungrier than others, maybe because of your activity levels or hormonal cycles?

Rather than setting yourself up to “cheat” on those hungry days and forcing yourself to eat more food than you want on your less hungry days, allow yourself the flexibility to adjust your intake based on your actual needs rather than an arbitrary number. Important: for this to work long term, you also need to learn to tell the difference between physical hunger and head hunger.

Myth: Carbs are Bad (or Fat is Bad)

This “good food-bad food” thinking makes certain foods special. As a result, you may feel deprived and think about them even more than you did before. Worse yet, healthy foods become a four-letter word.

The truth is all foods fit into a healthy diet. Since different foods have various nutritional qualities and calorie content, you can use the principles of balance



, variety and moderation to guide you without trying to restrict an entire food group.

Truth: You Are In Charge

I assume the rule-makers are well-intentioned and don’t realize that they’ve created a tight rope that most people fall off sooner or later. It’s time to give yourself the flexibility to make decisions that both nourish and nurture you.

 

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7 Healthy Tips For A Healthier Lifestyle

September 12th, 2007

Here are 7 healthy tips to incorporate into your lifesytle. If you Incorporate one of these activities into your daily life, you will be able to enjoy healthy long-term weight loss.

Incorporate one of these activities into your daily life, and enjoy healthy long-term weight loss:

1. Drink plain coffee instead of a frappuccino

Flavored coffee drinks may be delicious, but did you know that they are bursting with calories? Whenever you find yourself in line at the coffee shop, stick with plain coffee or tea instead of sugar-filled “dessert drinks”.

2. Pass on a doughnut or pastry

A single doughnut may seem innocent enough, besides everyone is eating them at the office meeting, why shouldn’t you? The truth is that doughnuts and pastries, though a workplace favorite, are hidden goldmines of fat and calories. For each doughnut you refuse to eat consider the 250 calories falling off of your waistline, and smile to yourself.

3. Jog for 30 minutes

Want in on a little secret? The hardest part about a simple 30 minute jog is the act of getting your shoes on and walking out the door. It’s true. Once you are halfway down the street you will realize that jogging is actually fun-add to that the fact that you are burning calories and you have yourself an all around good deal.

4. Exchange 20 oz of regular soda for water

By now you know that soda pop is not good for you-so why are you still drinking it? Every time you crave an ice cold cola picture swallowing spoonfuls of white sugar. Yikes, talk about a set up for weight gain. Stick with water and kiss those extra calories goodbye.

5. Swim laps for 30 minutes

If your response to my jogging suggestion was ‘I have bad joints’, then you are in luck. Swimming is one of the best aerobic activities you can do, and it is impact-free. When you swim you recruit your entire body, a process which requires lots of energy-AKA calories.

6. Eat an apple instead of a cookie

If you are like most people I know, then you probably get a hankering for something sweet after dinner. While your first instinct may be to reach for a cookie or a bowl of ice cream, why not consider what nature has to offer? Fruit is sweet, natural and lower in calories than baked goods.

7. Clean house for 60 minutes

Don’t think that all calorie burning has to take place in a gym. Vacuuming, dusting, folding laundry and doing dishes-they all require a little elbow grease, which results in calories burned. The next time your house needs a polish



, don’t grit your teeth-this means free calorie burning for you.

And if you really want to kick it up a notch and stoke those flames - hire a personal trainer who can take you from start to finish in less time then you think.

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Heart disease What can be done? What will protect us?

September 12th, 2007

Heart diseases are currently battling with Cancers for the mumber one place to kill you. Can anything be done about it? What causes heart disease? Can we protect ourselves naturally? Find out..

For many years, Heart disease has been the number one killer in our modern society. It now is battling for first place with cancers.

In order for our arteries and blood vessels to be healthy, our body needs a good supply of Vitamin C (Documented by Dr Linus Pauling (Nobel prize) and Dr Matthias Rath). This supply is essential for the production of collagen (Collagen gives strength to the wall of the arteries and blood vessels) and elastin (Elastin is the elastic fibrous material that keeps blood vessels and arteries together).

If our body suffers from a long-term deficiency of Vitamin C, then tiny holes will appear in the arteries. This will prompt the body to patch these little holes by sticking lipoprotein fats on top of the holes. This is produced in the liver. The body produces cholesterol and triglycerides in its attempt to plug in the tiny breaches. These fatty deposits on our arteries are known in modern medicine as “atherosclerosis”. It is however a perfectly natural process of repair the body undertakes when damage occurs on the arteries through lack of vitamins.

These deposits can in turn be responsible for high blood pressure and arrhythmia (Irregular heart beat ). Varicose veins have also been linked to the same cause. Dr Matthias Rath wrote a book “Why animals don’t get Heart attacks - but people do?” explaining that animals produce vitamin C in their body and we don’t and claims that this is why animals do not get heart attack.

A complete lack of vitamin C over a short period of time will result in Scurvy. A long-term deficiency will result in coronary problems.

Rath and Pauling went on to advise a daily intake of 600mg to 3g of vitamin C together with vitamin B complex (especially B3 (nicotinic acid) and B5 (pantothenate)), proper minerals, trace minerals, coenzyme Q10 and amino acids (carnitine) will be the foundation for healthy arteries and the reversal of cardiovascular problems.

Other researchers have also advised on supplementation with Magnesium, amino acid arginine to lower blood pressure. Magnesium, calcium, carnitine, coenzyme Q10 have also been advised to regulate heartbeat (Dr Ralph Matthias).

A study over 10 years of 10,000 people by Dr James Enstrom (University of California Los Angeles) confirmed that American taking a minimum of 300mg of vitamin C each day were 50% less likely (male) and 40% less likely (female) to develop heart disease.

A further study of 87,000 people has also demonstrated that a proper vitamin E intake lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems by one third and vitamin A intake by 30% (Matthias Raph). A result that has never been matched by any modern drug. Why is it then that we keep being pumped with cholesterol lowering drugs when natural vitamins and nutrients found in everyday food do the trick?

A report published in JAMA by Dr Newman and Dr Hulley (Carcinogenicity of lipid-lowering drugs published on 6 January 1996 ) of the San Francisco Medical School state that Cholesterol lowering drugs cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Why are we so depleted of Vitamin C?

The answer is found in our dietary habits. Cardiovascular problems are very much a disease that increased over the last 100 years. Our eating habits have completely changed in that period of time as well. Our ancestors used to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Meat was expensive and few could afford it.

Our fields were rich in minerals and the food grown on them contained these important nutrients. Nowadays, through over farming and extensive use of chemicals, our fields are depleted from these essential minerals. Our diets are now rich in animal food (meat and dairy) that further compounds the problem with its high content of fat.

The stress factor

Our body reacts to stress by producing the hormone adrenaline. For every molecule of adrenaline produced, one molecule of vitamin C is needed. A depletion of vitamin C in the body will lead to cardiovascular problems.

Other factors

Smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse, use of drugs.

The sad thing is..

As you may be aware from the EEC has now passed laws to restrict the sales of Vitamins, minerals and other natural products. This means that soon



, you will not be able to purchase vitamins in concentration high enough (if at all) to help yourself with various health problems.

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5 Super Tips for Easy Weight Loss

September 12th, 2007

The diet industry portrays that diets are a breeze, easy as pie, just eat our lovely (and expensive) products and spend lots of money and you will be as skinny as the skinny models who advertise our product yet have never used them.

Is it really possible for easy weight loss??

The diet industry portrays that diets and weight loss programs are a breese, easy as pie, just eat our lovely (and expensive) products and spend lots of money and time, and you will be as skinny as the thinner models who advertise our products yet have never used them.

Yet in spite of this, the most majority of people see and feel dieting as a struggle (struggling to lose weight), a battle (battling to lose weight), a fight (fighting to lose weight) and generally a hardship.

Easy weight loss is entirely possible if you adopt the right mental attitude. Weight loss is all about having high motivation, and what is motivation except the reasons to lose weight.

So, what are your reasons for losing weight?

Do you want to be thinner because your friends are? Do you want to be skinner because you feel people will like you more? Or you’ll like yourself more? Do you want to be thinner for health reasons?

There are several potencial reasons for losing weight, and if your reasons are powerful and motivating enough there is nothing else you can do except lose weight easily. Just what are your personal reasons and porpuses for losing weight? Have a think about them now and decide if they are motivating enough.

You’re now probably wondering what on earth this right mental attitude for easy weight loss is, so let me tell you now exactly what it is.

Number 1 : Believe that you can succeed. You would be shocked to find how many people do not believe they can successfully diet and attain (and maintain) their desired target weight. Believe you can succeed, and believe it strongly - your beliefs create the world around you and whether you believe you can or can’t, you’re right.

Number 2 : Be realistic. It’s lovely for us all to have those pleasant day dreams, but be realistic. Don’t think you can magically lose a hundred pounds in a week … it’s not physically possible, and losing too much weight too quickly is bad for your health. Be realistic about what you are aiming for and when you will do it.

Number 3 : Believe that you are a thinner person. People will have their identity tied up with their weight, and people will do almost anything to protect their identity, even kill. Is your identity one of a struggling dieter? Or an overweight person? Or a fat slob? What is your identity with relation to your weight? If it is negative and involves you being anywhere other than your target weight, then you need to change it!

Number 4 : Believe that you can be a thinner person. If you are caught up in self loathing and really dislike yourself you may not think you are worth losing weight and being at your ideal weight. You will find yourself struggling and sabotaging your efforts



, so believe you are worthy of this success.

Number 5 : Now this is the one that eludes all but the most successful dieters. Take REGULAR and CONSISTENT action. That’s all it takes. Easy weight loss comes from taking consistent action every single day both mentally and physically. Thinking you want to be thin whilst eating pizza in front of the television isn’t going to work. You have to combine thought with action to create results.

So now you know how easy weight loss really is when you have the right mental attitude. Study these five keys and use them to make your weight loss easy. Search about good and quality weight loss products and nutritional supplements that can help you in your weight loss process. Take care of your health!! Its your TREASURE!!

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Does Rapid Weight Loss Have Hiddent Dangers and Problems

September 12th, 2007

People who find themselves faced with a social event in the near future will often attempt some sort of rapid weight loss program. Have you ever wondered if rapid weight loss really works or what particular rapid weight loss dangers and problems may occur? Let’s take a look at this.

Many people who are seeking weight loss programs or diets seem to be searching more for some sort of rapid weight loss than permanent, healthy weight loss. It is also an unfortunate fact for them that quick diet weight loss programs are seldom without their dangers, and their results usually range from erratic to nonexistent.

I would advise anyone seeking to lose weight to substitute the term ‘healthy weight loss program’ for ‘rapid weight loss program’. It is hoped that this short article will explain the position I take to some small extent.

You, like so many others in today’s society, are concerned about losing weight. Like so many others, you are looking for some sort of rapid weight loss program or plan. Rapid weight loss, also often referred to as quick weight loss or fast weight loss, involves, as its name implies, losing weight in a short period of time. Claims of such programs often cite fantastic results in anywhere from two to seven days.

In the United States, approximately two-thirds of the adult population is overweight or obese, and hundreds of thousands of these Americans are understandably interested in rapidly losing that unwanted weight. Many simply wish to lose weight before an important event, like an upcoming vacation or a wedding, while others are willing to accept the fact that permanent, healthy weight loss is a lifetime commitment.

While it is certainly simple to understand how you can want to lose weight as fast as possible, to tell the truth, you really need to proceed with caution. Although it is possible to lose weight, or at least a small part of it, in a relatively short period of time, you should realize that there are dangers and problems associated with doing so.

One of the many dangers of rapid weight loss is simply that which is inherent in some of the many measures that some people take. For instance, it is common to hear of individuals who have decided to fast, i.e. not to eat, while trying to achieve a rapid weight loss goal. Going without food, for even a short period of time, can be dangerous to your health. It deprives you of many nutrients necessary to health and will shortly cause your metabolism to slow down. At that point, initial weight loss will cease if it hasn’t already. At some future time, when you return to your normal consumption of calories, as most dieters do, your body will burn fewer of the calories you take in, and the excess will be stored as fat…more fat than would have been accumulated before the rapid weight loss program.

This results in a condition in which the person now weighs more than they did before the weight loss program or diet. They attempt to lose the weight by going back on the same diet or a similar program. This time, the weight loss is harder to accomplish, the basic metabolic rate may diminish more, and the person will eventually go off the diet and gain more weight! This is a cycle often referred to as yo-yo dieting, and, as you can see, it is a self-defeating situation.

During an extreme diet, one in which as little as two to three pounds a week are lost, the dieter can experience the loss of lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is the ‘incinerator’ which burns excess calories, and its loss can only make healthy weight loss even more difficult. Additionally, with less lean muscle, the person is less likely to feel like engaging in activity which could help burn fat.

While an actual rapid weight loss ‘danger’ is relatively small though quite genuine, the results, or lack of same, when combined with the loss of needed nutrients do not really seem worth the effort or risk. However, be aware that in the presence of some clinical conditions or while attempting to achieve rapid weight loss through extreme measures, the danger to health, and even life itself, can be quite real.

A WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTION

A better alternative to simply ‘going on a diet’ is to cut back on the food that you do eat, particularly empty foods such as those sweetened with sugar, or heavily processed foods, or to just make sure that it is healthy foods which you are eating. Through limiting of your calories, you ought to be able to accomplish some sort of weight loss in the time that you were wanting to. However, it is very important that you do stick to a healthy eating and living plan.

EXERCISE AND HEALTHY EATING AND LIVING

Along with healthy eating and living practices, another important component of weight loss should always be exercise. Unfortunately, many individuals do not realize that it can take up to one week or more to notice any signs of results from exercise, and very obvious results will possibly take weeks or even months. However, in the long run, exercise, combined with sensible diet, proper hydration (plenty of water), and rest will result in a more permanent and more healthy weight loss experience.

Note, by the way, that those beginning an exercise program, particularly one which includes a strength training component…as it should…might actually notice a small weight gain at first. This is perfectly normal and is merely the result of adding lean muscle mass, which is healthier for the body, and this will help burn fat and calories. The scary part for the individual is that lean muscle mass often increases faster than they are losing fat, hence the temporary weight gain.

With all that having been said, the good news is that the more weight you need to lose, the sooner it is that you may actually start seeing results from a combined program of regular exercise and healthy eating and living.

While exercise should certainly be a major part of any plan for losing weight in a healthy and permanent manner, it is very important that you not overdo it. This is especially important if you haven’t previously had a regular exercise plan. Running on the treadmill for two hours, instead of twenty minutes, may burn fat faster, but, at the same time, it may also land you in the hospital. It is much better to begin at an extremely safe level and gradually work your way up to more difficult workouts than to start at some higher point just because you can and either give up because maintaining that pace is just too difficult, or because of some exercise injury.

DIET PLANS AND WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS

Another problem that should be considered when discussing rapid weight loss, is the taking of medications or weight loss products…particularly those sold off the supermarket shelf or through some magazine ad or an Internet website. The good news is that while some of these products do work a little, and some are even safe, you may not be able to tell what you are getting for your money or what it will do to your health in the long run. These products, such as the Alli diet pill, work best, if at all, when used in combination with a regular program of exercise and proper nutritional practices anyway. If, however, you are already doing that, it is fairly certain that you are losing a safe amount of weight at a healthy rate without having to pay for an additional helper which has no permanent health benefit and stops working as soon as you stop using it.

If you think you are interested in using a weight loss product, like a diet pill or a cleanse, to help you lose weight, it is important that you do the research first. This should, at the very least, involve reading reviews of the product to learn about its effectiveness, and discusing it with a qualified healthcare professional.

It is extremely important that you proceed with the utmost caution if trying to achieve rapid weight loss still appeals to you. Although unexpected events or appearances will occur without much notice, most individuals have at least a month’s worth of time before attending a large event such as a wedding or even going on a vacation to someplace where they wear bikinis all day. As soon as you become aware of your upcoming event, you are advised to start trying to lose weight then in a healthy and sensible manner, if you are interested in doing so.

An even better tactic might simply to be to adopt a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition combined with exercise. Then you won’t ever have to worry about such events



, and you won’t have to ‘diet’ or try some other means of achieving rapid weight loss.

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How To Control Stress And Distraction To Concentrate Better In Your Work Or Studies

September 12th, 2007

Helpful tips on how to deal with life’s distraction and stress to improve your concentration, memory and learning.

Our perception constantly strives to find order in random patterns.  Sometimes this may lead us to results which are not what we expect.  For example, if you look at your television screen when transmission has ended, your senses and your mind may lead you to the conclusion that the random flickering of the spots look like a swarm of bees.

There are disturbances everywhere and unless you are living in a cave on the top of a  mountain, disturbances are quite unavoidable.  Sources of disturbances in our everyday lives include the telephone, passing traffic, a barking dog or kids playing nearby.  Here are some tips on how to cope.

Most of us have encountered this scenario before.  You are about to solve a difficult problem when the telephone rings.  You feel flustered but somehow compelled to answer the phone.  After you put the phone down, you find that you can’t remember your solution.  There are ways to shield yourself from being disturbed.  If possible, in the office you can let your colleagues know that at certain times you do not want to be disturbed.  If necessary, put a sign on your door.  If that does not work, move your workstation.  

When it comes to concentration however, we are often to be blamed.  Not having enough enthusiasm, and difficulties with concentration can be an indication that our work patterns or habits need correction.  You need to take short breaks while you work, and reward yourself when the job is done.  Or if the task at hand will take you several hours, reward yourself when you reach a certain milestone.  For example, after writing certain number of pages of a document or presentation.  Maybe you need sleep, make sure you get enough sleep and talk to a spouse about your need for sleep so that he or she can make the necessary adjustments.  Maybe you are carrying too many burdens on your shoulders.  In that case, you need to take up a sport or some relaxing activity or hobby.

Our senses can be overloaded in some situations.  For example in a lively party, where the music is loud and there are many people talking or even shouting to be heard.   How do you react  when all of a sudden, in the middle of all that noise, laughter, voices, you hear your name?  Automatically, you try to determine who is calling or mentioning your name.  Psychologists are not exactly clear why we can pick out essential bits of  information in the midst of the deafening noise and chaos of a party.   Yet, it is the harnessing of this interesting fact about how the subconscious can filter out background noise to zero in on what is vital that is the core of brain training and memory enhancement. 

Our minds seem to possess a variety of filters for blocking  out irrelevant information, while at the same time allowing certain sounds or words to enter our consciousness.  Anyone who is a parent knows how useful these filters can be.  The cry of a baby - even if in another part  of the house will alert the mother or father of it’s distress.  Training our mind to focus on the task at hand or prioritising what is important will ensure less stress and freeing up more time for a more productive you.

When you have enough sleep and exercise, you will be in a better mental and physical shape to cope.  Your concentration


, your memory and your capacity for learning will increase.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

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