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Weight Control: Eating Right

March 9th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

One of the reasons that we have so many problems controlling our weigh is because most of us have forgotten the true purpose of eating food. We should not be eating food to give ourselves a passing pleasurable experience such as we may get when we eat some cheesecake or chocolate. The purpose of digesting food is to give us enough energy and strength to get through the day.

Food consists mainly of protein, carbohydrates, fats and a small quantity of vitamins and minerals. Food also contains water which is vital to the body as it provides the fluid to help the blood circulate around the body.

If you are going to adopt a healthy eating regime it is important that you understand the role that these main constituents fulfil.

Protein. This come mainly from animals in the form of meat and should be eaten in moderation as it can contain a high level of saturated fats which can be harmful to you. We all need some protein as it contains essential amino acids. Protein can be obtained from plant foods if they are combined. By combining pulses such as beans with grains and nuts you can provide your body with its required daily level of protein even on a vegetarian diet.

Carbohydrates. All carbohydrates are sugars and as such are an excellent source of energy as they are converted by the body into glucose. However, eating too many carbohydrates can affect the balanced of the body by upsetting your sugar levels. This can result in a feeling of tiredness, mood swings and irritability.

Fats. These represent a very concentrated source of energy. They can be divided into two types saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fats are normally solid at room temperature and include butter and margarine. It is also found in meats, pies, biscuits and many processed foods. Eating too much saturated fat can lead to raised cholesterol levels and an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Unsaturated fats. These are generally fluid at room temperature and can be found in vegetable oils such as sesame, olive and sunflower oils. They can also be found in oily fish such as mackerel and sardines. Unsaturated fats are considered to be much better for you than the saturated variety.

Water. Some experts believe that a majority of the population are suffering from some level of dehydration. It is recommended that we should all drink around 2 litres of water per day. This can help keep energy levels up and help- reduce high blood pressure.

It is important to get the balance between all the constituents of your daily food right. If you do this then you should be able to lead a healthy and active life.

Weight Loss Tips For Children

March 7th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

You may have heard that more and more children are gaining weight to the point of obesity, and that it seems the problem gets worse and worse as time goes on. There are many reasons for this, but thankfully, there are also many great weight loss tips for children. As a parent, you probably remember spending a lot of time doing physical activity when you were younger. Times are different now, as there are many activities that children prefer which require little more than repeated hand motions. Kids are just not as active as they use to be.

Video games are a lot of fun. There are great television shows too. Each of these can be educational, but they can also be dangerous. There is a reason why doctors recommend a time limit on both for children. Though these can be good for the mind, they are terrible for the body. Children are moving less than every before, and they are gaining more weight than ever before. On top of that, foods are less healthy than ever, and busy parents often go for easy and quick as opposed to healthy and complicated.

Parents should not kick themselves over this, but rather, make some changes to fix the problem. With children, it is always best to make small changes one at a time rather than sweeping changes that upset the balance of everything the children know. Parents also have to lead by example. They can not ask their children to do things they will not be willing to do themselves. A few small changes each week towards a healthier lifestyle is the way to go. Pretty soon everyone will be feeling better.

Slowly lower the amount of time your children are allowed to watch television and play video games. You can do this without them realizing what you are doing. Replace that time with healthy, physical activity. The best way to do that is to have the whole family involved. Find community events and sports teams to join, or make it a point to go for family walks and play out in the yard or park. If you move with them, they won’t think it is because they are being singled out, which is one of the worst things that could happen. Make it a family affair with no finger pointing.

As parents, you are going to be in some control of what your children are eating each day. Do not suggest out loud that you are putting your child on a diet. Think of weight loss for children as developing healthier habits for everyone in your home. Again, your child or children should not feel as if they are being singled out. Make the time to find and prepare healthier meals. Stop going through the drive-through and introduce your children to the joys of cooking. Each and every step you take in helping with weight loss for children is one less step they are going to have to fight through when they are adults and such things are so much harder to turn around.

Morning Exercise for Weight Loss

March 6th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Let’s face the facts: If you need to lose weight—and many of us are in this boat these days—you’re going to have to exercise. There’s just no way around it. Starving yourself is not the way to lose weight. You’ll just end up losing muscle mass, slowing down your metabolism, and making it harder for you to ever get your health on track.

Making Exercise a Priority

If you want to be healthy, you’re going to work at it. And I don’t mean that you’re just going to get out a couple times a week and move around a little—sort of as a fun hobby. No, what I mean is that you’re going to have to exercise every day. And if you can’t do every day, you’re going to have to exercise 5-6 times per week. Any less will do you no good. That’s all there is to it.

Of course, the problem many people face is that there just never seems to be enough time for exercising. There’s kids, work, spouses, eating, and millions of other responsibilities. Exercise just seems to fall to the wayside. After all, exercising isn’t the easiest thing in the world, so it’s easy to set it aside in favor of other things.

What you’re going to do is this: You’re going to make exercise a top priority. No longer will you say,

“I don’t have time to exercise, so I’m not going to”.

Instead, if you must, you’re going to cross something—anything—else off your schedule. Make exercise #1, as it should be. I know it’s tempting to think of your career and family as your top priorities. That should remain true in a sense, but when you are healthy and physically fit, you put yourself in a much better position to further your career and take care of your family. Trust me, exercising pays off.

Fortunately, I know a trick: It’s morning exercise. Get into the habit of exercising first thing in the day, and you’ll be all set for a happy, healthy, and fit life.

Why Morning Exercise?

When you really look at the reasons to exercise in the morning, it’s a no brainer. There are three main points:

1. First of all, exercising rouses your energy and metabolism. After a particularly strenuous bout of physical activity, it can take your body hours to return to its natural state of rest. Thus, when you exercise in the evening, it can actually interfere with your sleep. And when you sleep poorly, all aspects of your life are affected. On the other hand, exercising in the morning gives you an energy boost and gets you ready to start your day with vigor.

2. Exercising in the morning prevents you from allowing other activities to push fitness aside. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that things will come up that make it more difficult for you to get your daily exercise. Just treat your morning fitness session like any other appointment. Set your alarm clock, and don’t procrastinate. Get right up and go, without fussing about it.

3. Finally, it’s no secret that exercising in the morning gives you a nice endorphin boost that puts you in a good mood to start your day. But there’s also the simple fact that when you exercise in the morning, you can give yourself permission to feel good about yourself for the rest of the day. As your going through your work day and then your evening responsibilities, you’ll be able to say, “I’ve done well today, because I exercised.” The power of this feeling cannot be underestimated. Plus, when you get it out of the way early, you can clear it from your mind, rather than having that irksome voice in the back of your mind all day saying, “Don’t forget to exercise today!”

On a related note, there is one danger to exercising early: Later on, you may be tempted to reward yourself with a large meal or a sweet treat. Resist this. Instead, reward yourself once a week with a day off from exercise and, yes, maybe something special to eat.

Easy weight loss for men

February 25th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

It took me 60 years to figure out that life is not a race to the finish line. I’ve always been after the elusive goal of accomplishment, often at the expense of my health and the people I love. These are not the “I wish I had done things differently” musings of my age. They are the simple truths that accompany change.

Changes that can happen when you let go.

This is not a platform to bare my soul and confess my sins. It’s a very neat opportunity to post about changes that can happen when you let go of ingrained habits. It’s about weight loss for men and allowing yourself a chance to be the person you’d like to be. It’s on dealing with issues we men have. It’s from the heart, and I hope you can relate to it.

Criticism of my body shape.

I’ve always had a problem with my weight and I think that was a contributing factor to the way I acted. I think I wanted to deflect any criticism of my body shape by overachieving in other areas. I was obsessed by being “a winner”! It didn’t matter if it was Trivial Pursuit or business success, I was going to win at all costs. Each year, I’d start a new physical regime of weight loss for men that would make me “good looking”. I think I realized that I didn’t like my lifestyle very much. Weight loss would be the magic bullet that would allow me to let go and change in other areas of my life. I really couldn’t put my finger on what those changes might be, but feeling better about my weight might be the catalyst for change.

I deserved a break.

Well, until a few years ago, I couldn’t get there. I tried every diet my wife could come up with and was miserable. I ran every day until I blew the cartilage in my ankle. I’d drop 20-25 pounds and celebrate by starting to sneak a few cookies every day and a bowl of ice cream once in a while. After all, I made my goal and deserved a little break from the routine. GOTCHA! After a while, I was right back to where I was and more unhappy with myself than ever. I worked harder at being an achiever, so that I could be proud of something…because I sure wasn’t proud of backsliding on my weight.

I love feeling fit.

A few years ago, I had some health problems that forced me to re-think my lifestyle. I knew I had to reinvent myself or slowly slip into a place where I couldn’t return. I love my wife of 41 years, my kids, grand kids, dog and family. I loved being able to do active things. I loved feeling fit and finding joy in each day. What do these things have in common with weight loss for men? I also love food! I finally found a program that works for me.

Men have egos.

Just how in the heck was I going to take all these elements and reinvent myself? The first thing I did was study some human behavior issues to see why I was always battling myself. That was the greatest thing I’ve ever done for myself. From there, I started to slowly research health, weight loss for men and male self esteem. I don’t know whether it’s easier for a woman to admit she has issues and do something positive about it. I do know that weight loss for men is very tricky to deal with. Most of us men have egos that don’t allow us to admit we’re not as strong as we act. I think we males need to be allowed the space to investigate the right way to lose weight and keep it off. “It must have been the formula we’re using, because it sure couldn’t be a lack of control.

Pass the Thousand Island, please.

I have been reinventing myself for a few years and it feels good. I don’t have to give up things I like. I don’t have to listen to little jabs from anyone about whether I should be putting thousand island dressing on my salad. I have changed and I like it. I can still use thousand island, too! I’ve put together a website, Lose Weight-Be Healthy. It’s not about just weight loss for men. It’s about attitude and ways to help you find a weight loss program that works for you. You may just need a quick weight loss tuneup, or a critical long term health program.

I feel great about myself, my love life has improved and my joy with all the little things in life has returned. I hope this happens to you.

Change your life, as I’ve changed mine!

My name is Steve Benedict and I believe that I can help you change your life!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve always been concerned about your weight. You’ve probably tried every diet and exercise program known to man. Believe me, I’ve been there! I’m 61 years old and I’ve been losing weight for 45 years. At this rate, I should weigh about 10 pounds! Dieting can be a viscous cycle, and I’m here to help you break it. I’ve learned a lot and I want to pass it on.

Easy weight loss

February 19th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

One of the most effective and least savoury ways of making an obscene amount of money in a very short time is to position a product where it can play on the fears or desperation of a target market. And there are quite a few obscenely wealthy people out there who got that way by playing on people’s desperation to loose weight. This is evident in the plethora of “But wait, there’s more” sure fire, can’t loose, guaranteed weight loss programs, pills and potions that come and go on a daily basis.

The simple medical reality of this situation is that there is just no simple, quick fix style answer to obesity. The up side is that most cases of obesity can be successfully addressed in a sustainable manner. The key word is: sustainable. Loosing 50lbs in 3 weeks is not worth it to Jack if the next three are spent packing on 60 more. And in this simplistic statement lies the core philosophy of successful weight loss. Getting it off and keeping it off.

Obesity is sometimes caused by medical conditions for which little can be done. The vast majority of cases, however, are the result of simple grade school math. You take in 10, you burn 5, 5 goes straight to the spare tyre. In reality the catalysts for obesity are far more complex and the base of the cause and effect pyramid gets really broad (excuse the pun) very quickly. The basic principle stays basic though. If you absorb more calories than you burn daily then you are going to be shopping for clothes at Big and Tall. As callous and insensitive as that may sound it still remains true. Being politically correct does not count when it comes to facing up to and addressing obesity.

The causes of an excess of caloric content in your nutritional intake is where it starts to blur. These can range from a sluggish metabolism caused by a medical condition, lack of exercise or incorrect eating habits to regular 6 burger lunches. This is the point where professional intervention is essential in the battle of the bulge. Once the decision has been made to loose weight, a doctor and dietitian need to eliminate any medical causes for the obesity or any problems that may arise from a weight loss program and formulate a suitable calorie controlled diet. Once these parameters have been established the fun starts.

The focus at this point needs to be kept very simple. You now know how much you can eat and how much extra exercise it will take to keep the calories on the run, all you have to do is go for it. This sounds like a gross understatement of what is arguably one of the toughest battles one can engage in, and in a way it is, but that is the way it needs to be. The best plans are the simple ones.

The answer to this problem is as simple as the problem itself. It does not require a diet plan gleaned from the eating habits of some obscure rain forest tribe or a $5000 wiz bang machine. It just takes commitment to losing weight and sensible adherence to the principles of balancing calorific intake and expenditure.

Successful Weight Loss Tips

December 24th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

In order to achieve the desired weight loss, there are several simple rules that need to be adhered to. Following these rules will ensure that you cause your body no long last serious health problems unlike following the FAD diets, from Cabbage Soup to Biblical Seeds.

Dieting is in essence the practice of mastering the art of moderation. There are foods to be avoided for certain; refined sugars as found in fast foods and carbonated drinks, but there are also foods that are there to be enjoyed, such as meats and cheeses, eggs and yoghurts to name but some.

Obviously with diets the key is eating healthy, and vegetables, legumes and grains are the most important part of this. Being rich sources of all manner of vitamins and minerals, including anti-oxidants, which are one of the most potent combatants against high blood pressure and heart disease.

Similarly for people beginning a diet, the key aim is to increase general health and well being regardless of various personal motivations, the fact need be stated that loosing too much weight and dipping below the recommended range also leads to health benefits, names susceptibility to illnesses and osteoporosis.

The best methods for healthy and lasting weight loss success are to read the labels on the products you buy. Looking at everything from types of fats, salt levels and calorific content. Keeping a detailed record of your daily routine also helps, recording what you ate, the times you are, and recording all physical activity even if just climbing the office stairs instead of taking the elevator. Also another good indicator of health is to record your pulse, immediately upon waking and then last thing at night before you fall asleep.

Snacking is allowed on diets; they are not designed to leave you feeling hungry day in and day out. Although at first it may feel that way until your body realises that hunger isn’t a pain but simply a state of belief in something. Eating fruit and healthy snacks are an ideal and tasty way to top you up between meals and contain natural levels of vitamins and minerals that will help your body in many ways.

Exercise is always important no matter what level of diet you are on or your target weight. Exercise is good for your heart and your mind, not to mention your joints. Keeping your body as a well-maintained machine is the key to living a healthy life. You metabolism is boosted by regular exercise, because any muscle added means more calories burned because muscle is an active tissue and required calories simply to be around.

Many people who are dieting skip meals rather thinking of the calories saved than the nutrition lost. The real key to successful dieting is to eat smaller portions, but more often. Anywhere between four and six small meals a day not including snacks is fine, and helps to maintain a steady metabolic rate while preventing your body from entering starvation mode whereby it will stockpile any and all calories it received. Storing them as body fat for a raining day.

Water is also another great hunger fighting product, thirst can sometimes manifest itself as hunger pains, and by drinking plenty of water each day you ensure that you are fully hydrated for the minimum calorie input, but proper hydration levels will keep you feeling happy and therefore motivated to continue with the diet.

Weight Loss Tips For Women

December 20th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

How can you expect your body to maintain its shape when your lifestyle is the main culprit? Eating out and holidays are the biggest reasons why you keep putting on weight. And for women things are more difficult. A woman has an additional problem and that is pregnancy which leaves her with a bloated figure.

Know Your Mistakes

First learn the mistakes that you are doing, maybe those are the reasons behind your excess weight. Health magazines can be of great help in this case. You will then learn how to stop yielding to the cravings of your body. The mistakes that you do every day result in a bloated figure so start acting sensibly. Read this accurate fitness guide and learn to avoid the mistakes that you end up doing every day.

Brush Your Teeth after Meals

No don’t think that you are reading a wrong article. This is an article on weight loss for women and not on how to maintain healthy teeth. But it is proven that if you brush your teeth after meals you will keep away from food and that is because the minty flavor of the tooth paste makes all food taste bad. So you are quite likely to stay away from unhealthy food between meals.

Consistent Exercising

This is extremely important; only exercise can give you the desired figure. Women can also do heavy household jobs like washing clothes and sweeping floors which work well. Be consistent then you will get a long term effect which is always better than a short term one. Exercises are also great stress busters so it will help you to sleep well.

Diet

Finally you should eat right for maximum results. Add more and more fiber to your diet chart for it is good for metabolism. Avoid ‘white’ food, processed food and substitute them for vegetables and fruits. Drink good volume of water every day for best results. It would be best to consult a dietician and with his help make the diet chart which would be ideal for you. Nutrition is very vital so keep that in mind and make your diet chart.

Chinese Method of Weight Loss

November 26th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

It is said that one of the slimmest persons in the world are the Chinese. It seems that being slim is their second nature. Ever wondered what the secret to their weight loss is? The secret lies in their use of herbal teas to loose excess weight.

When you talk of herbal tea immediately the Chinese come to mind. Taking herbal tea has been a tradition since ancient times. To maintain good health and well-being the Chinese nobility of ancient China drank herbal tea. It is also their status symbol. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, herbal is dubbed the cure-all.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic process. The emotional and bodily needs are first assessed by taking the pulse and inspecting the tongue. This is the method for determining where and what bodily imbalance a person has. This is the basis for deciding what herbal tea to prescribe.

This system which has survived thousands of years will surely benefit any weight loss program. Research have shown that burning calories and boosting metabolism lead to a success in shedding those extra pounds. Research has also proven that these are achievable through herbal tea. Another benefit of imbibing is a reduction of the fattening effects of food heavy in calories with very minimal side effects.

The side effects that a person will usually feel are insomnia, constipation, and sweating. There have been incidents too of persons experiencing diarrhea. These are easily remedied by reducing the dosage until the persons does not feel any of those discomforts. The best way to start is by lessening the herbal tea intake by half.

How to make use of herbal tea for weight loss? Take note that it takes 20 minutes for the brain to sense that the stomach is full. So to avoid overeating, drink a cup of hot herbal tea 20 to 30 minutes prior to eating a well balanced meal. Another option is taking tea in between meals, between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner. This will lessen the appetite for those junk food. In order to get the maximum effect of herbal teas they must be ingested plain. Natural sweeteners like honey can be used. Adding milk or creamer is a no-no as these contain carbohydrates will hamper the success of the weight loss program.

So what are you waiting for? Try herbal teas now and enjoy the benefits of having a slimmer body and a healthier you.

Weight Loss after Pregnancy

November 12th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

Weight loss is a big question for every woman after she gives birth. The extra weight gained during pregnancy and dealing with post pregnancy body is what bothers every woman. The idea is to reclaim your body by getting back to shape.

But with every new baby there is another side of the story, one not nearly as glamorous, one however, that deserves to be heard. After giving birth my wife had gained 21 pounds, this is the story of how together we helped her shed it off.

Eat foods in the right combination’s. Getting the right amounts of carbohydrate, fat and protein in each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full, keep your metabolism burning more fat and help reduce cravings.

Many of those with expertise in the medical field advise slowly getting into a weight loss regiment following giving birth. After a three month waiting period, a combination of a low-fat diet and light exercise is recommended to reach your weight-loss goals.

Also, you moving at a pace unlike any other time in your life. You’re up early and down late. But napping is neccessary, so take full advantage of it.

The higher caloric requirement for breastfeeding is one reason that extra body fat is stored during pregnancy – so that mom has an available source of extra fuel to make milk. So, breastfeeding creates a unique opportunity to help mom lose fat more quickly by burning up that stored fat.

A good diet for pregnancy comprises of nutritious and high-density foods. Never do any harsh diets, always ensure that you get enough nutrition especially so if you are breastfeeding.

A traditional workout system would not be able to deliver results for mums suffering from post-pregnancy belly fat, what is more needed is a targeted workout regime for the lower stomach as well as the core muscles.

It is still highly debatable whether or not breastfeeding can actually help lose the post-pregnancy weight. What is certain though is that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for your baby and slightly convenient for you. It lets you add 300 calories or more on your diet without compromising your weight.

Drink lots of water – this will cleanse your body, make you feel full and keep your metabolic levels high. Your body really loves water! Have at least 8 glasses of it each and every day. Water keeps your body hydrated and satisfied.

Another weight loss after pregnancy tip is to eat healthy foods. This will help you burn body fat quickly. Some of the foods that you should eat include whole wheat breads and pastas, yogurt, fruits, lean meats, veggies, and nuts. Also, be sure you eat every couple of hours.

Fast weight loss after pregnancy is really just a figment of our imaginations. But, weight loss after pregnancy is completely possible through healthier eating and light to moderate exercise.