Pilates - A Complete Mind and Body Experience by Charles Kassotis
Pilates (pronounced Pi-LOT-eez) is considered a mind and body exercise. It originated with a man named Joseph Pilates back in the early 20th Century. He was a German national living in England; he was also a boxer and performer. He had studied and apprenticed in learning yoga and Zen exercise techniques, as well as learning about the physical training regimens practiced in ancient Rome and Greece. He developed a set of exercise and invented special machines on which to do them. When he was interned at a camp during World War I, he began showing his fellow internees the exercises. After the war, he and his wife, Clara (a nurse), incorporated the exercises to help injured and ill patients. Much of the machinery remains the same today, and home videos offer simple exercises in Pilates that do not make use of the machines, or use bands to help imitate the use of machines.
One of the main focuses of Pilates is to work with balance, and with strengthening the core inner muscles of the abdomen and the back. However, there are Pilates exercises to strengthen every muscle in the body. Concentration on holding specific poses and working certain muscles ensures that you become stronger, helping you burn more calories and tone your body. Additionally, breathing is important in Pilates, as it helps you maintain your focus. As you do Pilates, you will notice similarities to yoga in some of the movements and concepts.
When one practices Pilates regularly, it yields many benefits. Increased lung capacity, from the steady, deep breaths that one takes as one exercises is one of these benefits. Circulation is also improved. Strength and flexibility are gained, as well as balance, posture, and strength in the body's core. Pilates can also help build bone density and improve the health of one's joints. Mental benefits include an increased awareness of body, stress relief, feelings of well-being, more energy, and sharper thinking skills.
While many people go to the gym to work on machines with professional instructors, it is also possible to receive some of the benefits at home. Poses and exercises done sitting, standing, or laying down can help you increase strength and balance. However, you should be careful when doing the exercises at home with a video or DVD. You might sustain injury if you do not do the exercises correctly. Working with a trainer initially and then moving to doing exercises in your home can help you get an idea of the proper way to exercise, and allow you to do so on your own without sustaining hurt.
Pilates has been used among sports trainers and by dancers for years. It is only recently that it has been widely used among the public. Additionally, some of the techniques are used in physical therapy and rehabilitation, as the resistance can help patients regain strength and balance. Because of its focus on mindfulness of the body, and because of its ability to increase mental alertness, Pilates is considered a mind-body exercise program. However, unlike yoga, tai chi, and Zen practices, it does not have a spiritual element.
About the Author
Learn more about the origins of Pilates, and how to find Pilates instruction by visiting Pilates Intro
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Ab Myths and Facts
Ab Myths and Facts by Joseph
Myth#1 Abdominal exercises will remove fat in my midsection.
Fact: You need to remove excess fat around your stomach in order to see your abs. The only way your going to do this is with a low-calorie diet and a weight-resistance program while adding cardio exercise. Ab exercises will develop muscles, but they'll still be under your fat.
Myth#2 It takes hundreds of crunches to get ab muscles in shape.
Fact: Abdominal muscles are like any other muscle, they don't respond to hundreds of repetitions. When you can easily do 15 reps of any ab exercise, you need to switch exercises or add resistance.
Myth#3 You have to train your abs everyday if you want a six pack.
Fact: Ab muscles can be over-trained just like any other muscle. You need to give your six pack abs enough rest to recuperate. Over-training will result diminished gains and soreness.
Myth#4 Men and women should train their abs differently.
Fact: Men and women all have muscle, which is trained the same way. If a woman wants a sexy midsection, then she's going to eat correctly, follow a cardio program and train her abs the same way a man would.
Myth#5 If I stop training my abs they'll turn to fat.
Fact: Muscles don't turn to fat. If you stay active and watch what you eat you'll keep your abs even if you stop training. But if you stop exercising and start eating junk, your abs will disappear.
www.get-six-pack-abs.com
About the Author
www.get-six-pack-abs.com
Myth#1 Abdominal exercises will remove fat in my midsection.
Fact: You need to remove excess fat around your stomach in order to see your abs. The only way your going to do this is with a low-calorie diet and a weight-resistance program while adding cardio exercise. Ab exercises will develop muscles, but they'll still be under your fat.
Myth#2 It takes hundreds of crunches to get ab muscles in shape.
Fact: Abdominal muscles are like any other muscle, they don't respond to hundreds of repetitions. When you can easily do 15 reps of any ab exercise, you need to switch exercises or add resistance.
Myth#3 You have to train your abs everyday if you want a six pack.
Fact: Ab muscles can be over-trained just like any other muscle. You need to give your six pack abs enough rest to recuperate. Over-training will result diminished gains and soreness.
Myth#4 Men and women should train their abs differently.
Fact: Men and women all have muscle, which is trained the same way. If a woman wants a sexy midsection, then she's going to eat correctly, follow a cardio program and train her abs the same way a man would.
Myth#5 If I stop training my abs they'll turn to fat.
Fact: Muscles don't turn to fat. If you stay active and watch what you eat you'll keep your abs even if you stop training. But if you stop exercising and start eating junk, your abs will disappear.
www.get-six-pack-abs.com
About the Author
www.get-six-pack-abs.com
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
How to Enjoy Your Favorite Food Without Gaining Extra Pounds
How to Enjoy Your Favorite Food Without Gaining Extra Pounds by Hope Elpis
Every day we hear a lot about nutrition, dieting and healthy living, and see pictures of lucky people who have managed to loose a dozen pounds and now smile to us from the cover of a glossy magazine. However, the question is how do you eat your favorite food and not gain extra pounds?
Adhere to the following tips and you will have an admirable waistline.
First of all, use small plates. You cannot put much food on a small plate so you will not overeat.
Secondly, make pauses between bites. Your brain needs some time to realize that you are full.
Thirdly, it all comes down to will power. Do not allow yourself to overeat. No matter how strong your desire to get one more serving may be, do your best to overcome the temptation. You will be glad you did!
Fourthly, keep moving! Use every opportunity to walk. If your workplace is not far from your house, do not take a bus or get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of your way. Enjoy dancing to your favorite song. This will cheer you up and keep you fit. Do some housework. Even when you tidy up your room, wash your car or work in the garden, you burn calories.
Fifthly, set small goals. Do not try to lose a dozen pounds in one week; be realistic. You did not gain all the extra weight in one week, so it is impossible to lose it so quickly. Aim to lose one-two pounds a week. Start a diary and track your progress. Each time you reach your small goal, you will be motivated. Do not forget to award yourself (just do not use food for this). After all, Rome was not built in one day.
This article is courtesy of Actabit Weight Loss Journal and may be freely used with proper credits.
Actabit Weight Loss Journal (http://www.actabit.com) provides weight loss, nutrition and fitness information, news and tips. Offers articles and recommendations on healthy eating tips and recipes for every day.
Article Source: ArticlesOn.com
Every day we hear a lot about nutrition, dieting and healthy living, and see pictures of lucky people who have managed to loose a dozen pounds and now smile to us from the cover of a glossy magazine. However, the question is how do you eat your favorite food and not gain extra pounds?
Adhere to the following tips and you will have an admirable waistline.
First of all, use small plates. You cannot put much food on a small plate so you will not overeat.
Secondly, make pauses between bites. Your brain needs some time to realize that you are full.
Thirdly, it all comes down to will power. Do not allow yourself to overeat. No matter how strong your desire to get one more serving may be, do your best to overcome the temptation. You will be glad you did!
Fourthly, keep moving! Use every opportunity to walk. If your workplace is not far from your house, do not take a bus or get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of your way. Enjoy dancing to your favorite song. This will cheer you up and keep you fit. Do some housework. Even when you tidy up your room, wash your car or work in the garden, you burn calories.
Fifthly, set small goals. Do not try to lose a dozen pounds in one week; be realistic. You did not gain all the extra weight in one week, so it is impossible to lose it so quickly. Aim to lose one-two pounds a week. Start a diary and track your progress. Each time you reach your small goal, you will be motivated. Do not forget to award yourself (just do not use food for this). After all, Rome was not built in one day.
This article is courtesy of Actabit Weight Loss Journal and may be freely used with proper credits.
Actabit Weight Loss Journal (http://www.actabit.com) provides weight loss, nutrition and fitness information, news and tips. Offers articles and recommendations on healthy eating tips and recipes for every day.
Article Source: ArticlesOn.com
Friday, May 05, 2006
The Top 13 Weight Loss Tips
The Top 13 Weight Loss Tips
by: Joan Winthorp
Get ready to lose 10 pounds!
By paying attention to the amount of food you eat, eliminating unnecessary sugar and fat from your foods and making sure you include absolutely delicious meals and snacks to keep your taste buds happy.
Use this easy-to-follow and super healthy diet plan to lose the first 10, the last 10, or any 10 in between! Because it’s a balanced and flexible program, you can stay on this diet as long as it takes.
Top Fast Secrets
1. Keep track of everything you eat and drink. No need to estimate calories – just write down the type of food or beverage and the amount.
2. Cut your fat intake in half, that means half as much margarine or butter on toast, vegetables and your muffin, half the mayonnaise on your sandwich, and half the oil in the pan when you saute foods. You get the idea!
3. Limit the sugar treats to three times per week maximum.
4. Include good sources of protein at meal, chicken, fish, legumes, peanut, cottage cheese, eggs or yogurt.
5. Eat at least one meatless lunch and dinner each week to reduce fat, increase fiber, and get yourself into the habit of building meals around whole grains, beans and vegetables.
6. If you’re not currently using skim milk, go down to the level of fat content in the milk you use. For example, if you currently use two percent, use only one percent. If you insist on whole milk, try two percent.
7. Eat at least two servings of fresh fruit every day. Choose whatever type of fruit is in season.
8. Instead of fruit juice for breakfast or snack, drink water. Add a slice of lemon or lime for zest.
9. Include two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner, for a total of at least four servings per day.
10. Choose one to two servings of foods made from whole grains with every meal.
11. Shut off the TV whenever you eat – that includes meals and snacks. Studies show that we automatically eat larger portions when we snack in front of the tube, and typically those foods are high in fat and sugar, which means excess calories!
12. Choose calories you can chew – that means only calorie-free beverages (except for milk) Sodas are loaded with empty calories, and fruit juices provide less fiber and vitamins per calorie than the fruit they’re made from.
13. Plan ahead for meals and snacks so you know exactly what you plan to eat. Last-minute choice tends to be higher in calories and lower in satisfaction.
About The Author
Joan Winthorp is a fitness and nutrition expert. If you ever wanted to know if the Low-Carb-Diet works or does not - than the website at http://www.low-carb-diet-secrets.com was written just for you.
by: Joan Winthorp
Get ready to lose 10 pounds!
By paying attention to the amount of food you eat, eliminating unnecessary sugar and fat from your foods and making sure you include absolutely delicious meals and snacks to keep your taste buds happy.
Use this easy-to-follow and super healthy diet plan to lose the first 10, the last 10, or any 10 in between! Because it’s a balanced and flexible program, you can stay on this diet as long as it takes.
Top Fast Secrets
1. Keep track of everything you eat and drink. No need to estimate calories – just write down the type of food or beverage and the amount.
2. Cut your fat intake in half, that means half as much margarine or butter on toast, vegetables and your muffin, half the mayonnaise on your sandwich, and half the oil in the pan when you saute foods. You get the idea!
3. Limit the sugar treats to three times per week maximum.
4. Include good sources of protein at meal, chicken, fish, legumes, peanut, cottage cheese, eggs or yogurt.
5. Eat at least one meatless lunch and dinner each week to reduce fat, increase fiber, and get yourself into the habit of building meals around whole grains, beans and vegetables.
6. If you’re not currently using skim milk, go down to the level of fat content in the milk you use. For example, if you currently use two percent, use only one percent. If you insist on whole milk, try two percent.
7. Eat at least two servings of fresh fruit every day. Choose whatever type of fruit is in season.
8. Instead of fruit juice for breakfast or snack, drink water. Add a slice of lemon or lime for zest.
9. Include two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner, for a total of at least four servings per day.
10. Choose one to two servings of foods made from whole grains with every meal.
11. Shut off the TV whenever you eat – that includes meals and snacks. Studies show that we automatically eat larger portions when we snack in front of the tube, and typically those foods are high in fat and sugar, which means excess calories!
12. Choose calories you can chew – that means only calorie-free beverages (except for milk) Sodas are loaded with empty calories, and fruit juices provide less fiber and vitamins per calorie than the fruit they’re made from.
13. Plan ahead for meals and snacks so you know exactly what you plan to eat. Last-minute choice tends to be higher in calories and lower in satisfaction.
About The Author
Joan Winthorp is a fitness and nutrition expert. If you ever wanted to know if the Low-Carb-Diet works or does not - than the website at http://www.low-carb-diet-secrets.com was written just for you.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Decoding Food Labels to LOSE Weight!
Decoding Food Labels to LOSE Weight!
by Big "Fat" Lies Newsletter (for Weight Loss)
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply losing weight, you want to eat a healthy diet and focus on foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and balanced in fats, carbs, proteins.
There is only one way to incorporate healthy foods into our diet and that is to make the decision to do it! Practical information about the nutrition and safety of the foods we consume is absolutely vital in making this decision.
One way to learn more about what we eat, is to snoop around the supermarket. Check-out package labels to see what manufactures are adding (or removing) from the foods we eat. Read the information on the package and start making comparisons to determine which foods are the best for YOU. Know about nutritional labeling and the sometimes sneaky ways that manufacturers have of hiding what is in the food. Know and understand ingredient declarations, how they are used, and what a few of the "technical" terms mean. Are the unfamiliar ingredients good or bad for your health?
Since 1994 food manufacturers have been required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels (or Nutrition Facts labels) on product packaging so that consumers have accurate nutritional information about the food they purchase. But food labels are more than just a federal requirement - once you understand the information they provide, you can use food labels as a guide to planning healthier meals and snacks.
Food labels are required on almost all foods, except those that don't provide many nutrients such as coffee, alcohol and spices. Although some restaurants provide information about the food they serve, they aren't required to have labels. The FDA recommends that sellers provide nutritional information on produce, meat, poultry and seafood, but it's strictly voluntary.
What Is a Serving?
At the top of a food label under Nutrition Facts, you'll see the serving size and the number of servings in the package. The rest of the nutrition information in the label is based on one serving.
Calories, Calories From Fat and Percent Daily Values
This part of a food label provides the calories per serving and the calories that come from fat. If you need to know the total number of calories you eat every day or the number of calories that come from fat, this section provides that information. Remember that this part of the label doesn't tell you whether you are eating saturated or unsaturated fat.
On the right side of a food label, you'll see a column that lists percentages. These percentages refer to the percent daily values (%DV). Percent daily values tell you how much of something, whether it's fat, sugar or vitamin A, one serving will give you compared to how much you need for the entire day. It will help you gauge the percentage of a nutrient requirement met by one serving of the product. One way to use this section of the label is when you comparison shop. For example, if you're concerned with sodium, you can look at two foods and choose the food with the lower % DV. Are you trying to eat a low-fat diet? Look for foods that have a lower percent daily value of fat.
The %DV is based on how much or how little of the key nutrients you should eat whether you eat 2,000 or 2,500 calories a day. So if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, you should eat less than 65 grams of fat in all the foods you eat for the day. If you're eating 12 grams of fat in your one serving of macaroni and cheese (remember that's one cup), you can calculate how much fat you have left for the day. You can use the bottom part of the food label in white to compare what you are eating to the % DV you're allowed for that nutrient, whether it's fat, sodium or fiber. If you need more or less than 2,000 or 2,500 calories, you'll need to adjust this accordingly.
Nutrients
Fat, Sugar, Sodium and Carbohydrate
The sections on a food label shows the name of a nutrient and the amount of that nutrient provided by one serving of food. You may need to know this information, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or are eating a diet that restricts certain nutrients such as sodium or carbohydrates.
Food labels also include information about how much sugar and protein is in the food. If you are following a low-sugar diet or you're monitoring your protein intake, it's easy to spot how much of those nutrients are contained in one serving.
Vitamins, Minerals and Other Information
The light purple part of the label lists nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the food and their percent daily values. Try to average 100% DV every day for vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and fiber. Do the opposite with fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Try to eat less than 100% DV of these.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading a Food Label
Until you become accustomed to reading food labels, it's easy to become confused. Avoid these common mistakes when reading labels:
-A label may say that the food is reduced fat or reduced sodium. That means that the amount of fat or sodium has been reduced by 25% from the original product. It doesn't mean, however, that the food is low in fat or sodium. For example, if a can of soup originally had 1,000 milligrams of sodium, the reduced sodium product would still be a high-sodium food.
-Don't confuse the % DV for fat with the percentage of calories from fat. If the % DV is 15% that doesn't mean that 15% of the calories comes from fat. Rather, it means that you're using up 15% of all the fat you need for a day with one serving (based on a meal plan of 2,000 calories per day).
-Don't make the mistake of assuming that the amount of sugar on a label means that the sugar has been added. For example, milk naturally has sugar, which is called lactose. But that doesn't mean you should stop drinking milk because milk is full of other important nutrients including calcium.
Reading Label Lingo
In addition to requiring that packaged foods contain a Nutrition Facts label, the FDA also regulates the use of phrases and terms used on the product packaging. Here's a list of common phrases you may see on your food packaging and what they actually mean.
No fat or fat free - Contains less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving Lower or reduced fat: Contains at least 25 percent less per serving than the reference food. (An example might be reduced fat cream cheese, which would have at least 25 percent less fat than original cream cheese.)
Low fat - Contains less than 3 grams of fat per serving.
Lite - Contains 1/3 the calories or 1/2 the fat per serving of the original version or a similar product.
No calories or calorie free - Contains less than 5 calories per serving.
Low calories - Contains 1/3 the calories of the original version or a similar product.
Sugar free - Contains less than 1/2 gram of sugar per serving.
Reduced sugar - at least 25% less sugar per serving than the reference food.
No preservatives - Contains no preservatives (chemical or natural).
No preservatives added - Contains no added chemicals to preserve the product. Some of these products may contain natural preservatives.
Low sodium - Contains less than 140 mgs of sodium per serving.
No salt or salt free - Contains less than 5 mgs of sodium per serving.
High fiber - 5 g or more per serving (Foods making high-fiber claims must meet the definition for low fat, or the level of total fat must appear next to the high-fiber claim).
Good source of fiber - 2.5 g to 4.9 g. per serving.
More or added fiber - Contains at least 2.5 g more per serving than the reference food.
With a little practice, you will be able to put your new found knowledge about food labeling to work. Reassess your diet and decide what needs to be changed. Start by eliminating the foods that don't measure-up to your nutritional wants and needs, and replacing them with more nutritional substitutes.
And while you're at it, visit the FDA website and learn about the new labeling requirements, including those for "trans" fat. Like saturated fats, trans fats can raise levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and increase your risk of heart disease. The "Nutrition Facts" panel on food packaging must provide this information beginning January 1, 2006, but most manufacturers will start providing it sooner.
About the Author
---------------------------------------- This article provided courtesy of the 'Big *FAT* Lies' report. *WARNING* Don't waste your time and money on another diet plan until you read our 100% FREE report: http://www.pushbuttoncontent.com/free_weightloss.html ----------------------------------------
by Big "Fat" Lies Newsletter (for Weight Loss)
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply losing weight, you want to eat a healthy diet and focus on foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and balanced in fats, carbs, proteins.
There is only one way to incorporate healthy foods into our diet and that is to make the decision to do it! Practical information about the nutrition and safety of the foods we consume is absolutely vital in making this decision.
One way to learn more about what we eat, is to snoop around the supermarket. Check-out package labels to see what manufactures are adding (or removing) from the foods we eat. Read the information on the package and start making comparisons to determine which foods are the best for YOU. Know about nutritional labeling and the sometimes sneaky ways that manufacturers have of hiding what is in the food. Know and understand ingredient declarations, how they are used, and what a few of the "technical" terms mean. Are the unfamiliar ingredients good or bad for your health?
Since 1994 food manufacturers have been required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels (or Nutrition Facts labels) on product packaging so that consumers have accurate nutritional information about the food they purchase. But food labels are more than just a federal requirement - once you understand the information they provide, you can use food labels as a guide to planning healthier meals and snacks.
Food labels are required on almost all foods, except those that don't provide many nutrients such as coffee, alcohol and spices. Although some restaurants provide information about the food they serve, they aren't required to have labels. The FDA recommends that sellers provide nutritional information on produce, meat, poultry and seafood, but it's strictly voluntary.
What Is a Serving?
At the top of a food label under Nutrition Facts, you'll see the serving size and the number of servings in the package. The rest of the nutrition information in the label is based on one serving.
Calories, Calories From Fat and Percent Daily Values
This part of a food label provides the calories per serving and the calories that come from fat. If you need to know the total number of calories you eat every day or the number of calories that come from fat, this section provides that information. Remember that this part of the label doesn't tell you whether you are eating saturated or unsaturated fat.
On the right side of a food label, you'll see a column that lists percentages. These percentages refer to the percent daily values (%DV). Percent daily values tell you how much of something, whether it's fat, sugar or vitamin A, one serving will give you compared to how much you need for the entire day. It will help you gauge the percentage of a nutrient requirement met by one serving of the product. One way to use this section of the label is when you comparison shop. For example, if you're concerned with sodium, you can look at two foods and choose the food with the lower % DV. Are you trying to eat a low-fat diet? Look for foods that have a lower percent daily value of fat.
The %DV is based on how much or how little of the key nutrients you should eat whether you eat 2,000 or 2,500 calories a day. So if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, you should eat less than 65 grams of fat in all the foods you eat for the day. If you're eating 12 grams of fat in your one serving of macaroni and cheese (remember that's one cup), you can calculate how much fat you have left for the day. You can use the bottom part of the food label in white to compare what you are eating to the % DV you're allowed for that nutrient, whether it's fat, sodium or fiber. If you need more or less than 2,000 or 2,500 calories, you'll need to adjust this accordingly.
Nutrients
Fat, Sugar, Sodium and Carbohydrate
The sections on a food label shows the name of a nutrient and the amount of that nutrient provided by one serving of food. You may need to know this information, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or are eating a diet that restricts certain nutrients such as sodium or carbohydrates.
Food labels also include information about how much sugar and protein is in the food. If you are following a low-sugar diet or you're monitoring your protein intake, it's easy to spot how much of those nutrients are contained in one serving.
Vitamins, Minerals and Other Information
The light purple part of the label lists nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the food and their percent daily values. Try to average 100% DV every day for vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and fiber. Do the opposite with fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Try to eat less than 100% DV of these.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading a Food Label
Until you become accustomed to reading food labels, it's easy to become confused. Avoid these common mistakes when reading labels:
-A label may say that the food is reduced fat or reduced sodium. That means that the amount of fat or sodium has been reduced by 25% from the original product. It doesn't mean, however, that the food is low in fat or sodium. For example, if a can of soup originally had 1,000 milligrams of sodium, the reduced sodium product would still be a high-sodium food.
-Don't confuse the % DV for fat with the percentage of calories from fat. If the % DV is 15% that doesn't mean that 15% of the calories comes from fat. Rather, it means that you're using up 15% of all the fat you need for a day with one serving (based on a meal plan of 2,000 calories per day).
-Don't make the mistake of assuming that the amount of sugar on a label means that the sugar has been added. For example, milk naturally has sugar, which is called lactose. But that doesn't mean you should stop drinking milk because milk is full of other important nutrients including calcium.
Reading Label Lingo
In addition to requiring that packaged foods contain a Nutrition Facts label, the FDA also regulates the use of phrases and terms used on the product packaging. Here's a list of common phrases you may see on your food packaging and what they actually mean.
No fat or fat free - Contains less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving Lower or reduced fat: Contains at least 25 percent less per serving than the reference food. (An example might be reduced fat cream cheese, which would have at least 25 percent less fat than original cream cheese.)
Low fat - Contains less than 3 grams of fat per serving.
Lite - Contains 1/3 the calories or 1/2 the fat per serving of the original version or a similar product.
No calories or calorie free - Contains less than 5 calories per serving.
Low calories - Contains 1/3 the calories of the original version or a similar product.
Sugar free - Contains less than 1/2 gram of sugar per serving.
Reduced sugar - at least 25% less sugar per serving than the reference food.
No preservatives - Contains no preservatives (chemical or natural).
No preservatives added - Contains no added chemicals to preserve the product. Some of these products may contain natural preservatives.
Low sodium - Contains less than 140 mgs of sodium per serving.
No salt or salt free - Contains less than 5 mgs of sodium per serving.
High fiber - 5 g or more per serving (Foods making high-fiber claims must meet the definition for low fat, or the level of total fat must appear next to the high-fiber claim).
Good source of fiber - 2.5 g to 4.9 g. per serving.
More or added fiber - Contains at least 2.5 g more per serving than the reference food.
With a little practice, you will be able to put your new found knowledge about food labeling to work. Reassess your diet and decide what needs to be changed. Start by eliminating the foods that don't measure-up to your nutritional wants and needs, and replacing them with more nutritional substitutes.
And while you're at it, visit the FDA website and learn about the new labeling requirements, including those for "trans" fat. Like saturated fats, trans fats can raise levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and increase your risk of heart disease. The "Nutrition Facts" panel on food packaging must provide this information beginning January 1, 2006, but most manufacturers will start providing it sooner.
About the Author
---------------------------------------- This article provided courtesy of the 'Big *FAT* Lies' report. *WARNING* Don't waste your time and money on another diet plan until you read our 100% FREE report: http://www.pushbuttoncontent.com/free_weightloss.html ----------------------------------------
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
I Am On A Weight Loss Journey--and Beyonce is My Motivation
I Am On A Weight Loss Journey--and Beyonce is My Motivation
I am currently trying to lose weight. I want to get back down to my pre-pregnancy size. I know it's going to take some time, but I'm am willing to put in the work. Beyonce is my motivation factor. Now, I know I ain't no Beyonce, but she is a great motivation factor. For one, all the guys go goo goo over her, and two, she is not only sexy, but smart too. In addition to that, she knows how to carry herself in a ladylike, professional manner. Enough said. To anyone who is interested, I have a group on Myspace for women who use Beyonce as their weight loss motivation factor. Go to http://groups.myspace.com/bodylikebeyonce if you would like to join. Peace Out!
Cheat and Lose weight - how to make your own diet plan
Cheat and Lose weight - how to make your own diet plan
by Bill Morrison
Fad diets come and go, but how successful are some of the modern diet plans? Should you go for low fat, low calorie, low carbohydrate, Atkins, or high fiber? The list is endless and when slimming magazines telling us how to lose ten pounds in one month it's no wonder we have high expectations and get a little upset when we don't achieve the results promised
Harsh statistics reveal that obesity is at record levels in the USA, with many European countries following where America leads. Those of us who aren't obese could probably do with shedding a few pounds as well, but the thought of giving up our beer or reducing our snack intake doesn't bear thinking about. Before we look at the easiest way to lose weight it's useful to look at some of the facts about being overweight. Being overweight increases your chances of a heart attack or stroke, type 2 diabetes, back problems, high blood pressure, gallbladder problems, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some forms of cancer.
The first step on the road to loosing a few pounds is to condition your mind to the fact that you DO really want to lose weight! It is important to realize that you didn't put these extra pounds on in the last week or the last month but over a period of time. It is therefore important to condition yourself to the fact that you are not going to lose those extra pounds in a few days or a few weeks! TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND KEEP THE POUNDS OFF IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
That's the bad news, but the good news is you can cheat and make it easy on yourself. The secret of losing weight is really very simple - you eat less! Researchers in the UK were confounded by the Atkins diet. How could people eat as much as they wished so long as it was in the diet plan? After years of analysis they stumbled across the answer - people on this diet actually did eat less and so lost weight.
Your body is like a finely tuned machine, it needs energy to function. This energy is derived from the food we eat. If we eat more food than we 'burn' off it is stored as fat. Simply sitting around doing nothing uses energy - but not much, walking uses more and aerobic exercise uses even more. That's why combining exercise with eating less will increase the rate you will shed those unwanted pounds.
The first step is to make diary of what you eat and when. If you can't be bothered to write it down you can go over it in your mind. Do this for about a week. It is important you become aware of your eating habits and how you are going to change them.
Once you have made your diary select something you can cut out or reduce the quantity you eat. Your ideal would be to replace all between meal snacks with fresh fruit and try hard not to have such large helpings at your main meals. The best diet is to leave the table just before you get that full up feeling.
Set yourself a realistic target of losing 12 to 30 pounds over the next year. Ideally the lower the target the more likely it is that you will achieve it. Your skin will readjust to a modest weight loss a lot easier than it would to shedding a lot of weight. You will be changing your diet gradually and so it will be much easier to stick to.
Imagine after making your diary a typical days eating went something like this:
Breakfast - fruit juice followed by bacon and egg and toast. Mid morning snack: candy bar with cola. Lunch - Pizza and cola. Mid afternoon snack - coffee and doughnut Dinner - Chinese take away Evening - 2 to 3 beers and some snacks.
Although this may be nothing like your eating habits for illustration purposes we will assume it is. Your eight step plan would then be something like this.
Step One. Start off by cutting out either the candy bar in the morning or the doughnut in the afternoon. See how this goes. Check your weight regularly. After a month if you haven't lost weight you are cheating too much!
Step Two. After a month now that you have shed a pound or two it is time to start easing in diet drinks or water instead of fizzy drinks.
Step Three. Try to eat at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. Introduce fruit in place of your mid day snacks.
Step Four. If your main meals are mostly supermarket convenience meals or take away meals start looking for healthier options. Look for low fat, low salt and low sugar content in the supermarket convenience meals and go for average portions in take away meals. Cut down on the amount of French fries you have with meals.
Step Five. Reward yourself with 3 squares of dark chocolate each day, preferably with a high cocoa content (70%). The flavanoids in dark chocolate are important for a healthy heart. Use this as a substitute for your mid-day snacks or to replace after meal desserts.
Once you've adjusted to a modest change and hopefully a few pounds lighter then its time to consider a lifestyle change.
Step Six. If you do not have enough fiber in your diet it's time to start introducing some and what better time of the day to begin than at breakfast. Replace the fry up with high fiber cereal. Eat multigrain or whole wheat bread. Don't forget to cheat at the weekend and have you favorite fry up!
Step Seven. Drink only diet drinks, replace sugar with no sugar or use a sweetener in coffee or tea. Introduce a glass of red wine into your daily diet - swap this one for one with one of your preferred alcoholic drinks. Week-ends tend to be a big self reward time. Try to moderate the food and drink input at these times.
Step Eight. Ensure you have a good workout at least twice a week to get the heart rate up. Walk , cycle or run at least one mile a day.
Once you've done all this examine the lifestyle changes you've made and find out the best healthy eating diet and exercise plan to suit your needs in keeping your weight under control.
This information in this article should not be used to treat, or prevent any disease. You should always consult with your health care professional on matters relating to your own dietary needs and on all health matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
About the Author
Bill Morrison has his own website http://www.help4urback.com where he describes his own personal experiences coping with lower back pain and sciatica. He also includes personal recommendations for people who suffer from sciatica or lower back pain including what books to buy, TENs machines, and what web sites to check out.
by Bill Morrison
Fad diets come and go, but how successful are some of the modern diet plans? Should you go for low fat, low calorie, low carbohydrate, Atkins, or high fiber? The list is endless and when slimming magazines telling us how to lose ten pounds in one month it's no wonder we have high expectations and get a little upset when we don't achieve the results promised
Harsh statistics reveal that obesity is at record levels in the USA, with many European countries following where America leads. Those of us who aren't obese could probably do with shedding a few pounds as well, but the thought of giving up our beer or reducing our snack intake doesn't bear thinking about. Before we look at the easiest way to lose weight it's useful to look at some of the facts about being overweight. Being overweight increases your chances of a heart attack or stroke, type 2 diabetes, back problems, high blood pressure, gallbladder problems, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some forms of cancer.
The first step on the road to loosing a few pounds is to condition your mind to the fact that you DO really want to lose weight! It is important to realize that you didn't put these extra pounds on in the last week or the last month but over a period of time. It is therefore important to condition yourself to the fact that you are not going to lose those extra pounds in a few days or a few weeks! TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND KEEP THE POUNDS OFF IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
That's the bad news, but the good news is you can cheat and make it easy on yourself. The secret of losing weight is really very simple - you eat less! Researchers in the UK were confounded by the Atkins diet. How could people eat as much as they wished so long as it was in the diet plan? After years of analysis they stumbled across the answer - people on this diet actually did eat less and so lost weight.
Your body is like a finely tuned machine, it needs energy to function. This energy is derived from the food we eat. If we eat more food than we 'burn' off it is stored as fat. Simply sitting around doing nothing uses energy - but not much, walking uses more and aerobic exercise uses even more. That's why combining exercise with eating less will increase the rate you will shed those unwanted pounds.
The first step is to make diary of what you eat and when. If you can't be bothered to write it down you can go over it in your mind. Do this for about a week. It is important you become aware of your eating habits and how you are going to change them.
Once you have made your diary select something you can cut out or reduce the quantity you eat. Your ideal would be to replace all between meal snacks with fresh fruit and try hard not to have such large helpings at your main meals. The best diet is to leave the table just before you get that full up feeling.
Set yourself a realistic target of losing 12 to 30 pounds over the next year. Ideally the lower the target the more likely it is that you will achieve it. Your skin will readjust to a modest weight loss a lot easier than it would to shedding a lot of weight. You will be changing your diet gradually and so it will be much easier to stick to.
Imagine after making your diary a typical days eating went something like this:
Breakfast - fruit juice followed by bacon and egg and toast. Mid morning snack: candy bar with cola. Lunch - Pizza and cola. Mid afternoon snack - coffee and doughnut Dinner - Chinese take away Evening - 2 to 3 beers and some snacks.
Although this may be nothing like your eating habits for illustration purposes we will assume it is. Your eight step plan would then be something like this.
Step One. Start off by cutting out either the candy bar in the morning or the doughnut in the afternoon. See how this goes. Check your weight regularly. After a month if you haven't lost weight you are cheating too much!
Step Two. After a month now that you have shed a pound or two it is time to start easing in diet drinks or water instead of fizzy drinks.
Step Three. Try to eat at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. Introduce fruit in place of your mid day snacks.
Step Four. If your main meals are mostly supermarket convenience meals or take away meals start looking for healthier options. Look for low fat, low salt and low sugar content in the supermarket convenience meals and go for average portions in take away meals. Cut down on the amount of French fries you have with meals.
Step Five. Reward yourself with 3 squares of dark chocolate each day, preferably with a high cocoa content (70%). The flavanoids in dark chocolate are important for a healthy heart. Use this as a substitute for your mid-day snacks or to replace after meal desserts.
Once you've adjusted to a modest change and hopefully a few pounds lighter then its time to consider a lifestyle change.
Step Six. If you do not have enough fiber in your diet it's time to start introducing some and what better time of the day to begin than at breakfast. Replace the fry up with high fiber cereal. Eat multigrain or whole wheat bread. Don't forget to cheat at the weekend and have you favorite fry up!
Step Seven. Drink only diet drinks, replace sugar with no sugar or use a sweetener in coffee or tea. Introduce a glass of red wine into your daily diet - swap this one for one with one of your preferred alcoholic drinks. Week-ends tend to be a big self reward time. Try to moderate the food and drink input at these times.
Step Eight. Ensure you have a good workout at least twice a week to get the heart rate up. Walk , cycle or run at least one mile a day.
Once you've done all this examine the lifestyle changes you've made and find out the best healthy eating diet and exercise plan to suit your needs in keeping your weight under control.
This information in this article should not be used to treat, or prevent any disease. You should always consult with your health care professional on matters relating to your own dietary needs and on all health matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
About the Author
Bill Morrison has his own website http://www.help4urback.com where he describes his own personal experiences coping with lower back pain and sciatica. He also includes personal recommendations for people who suffer from sciatica or lower back pain including what books to buy, TENs machines, and what web sites to check out.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
PMS Weight Gain
PMS Weight Gain
By Elizabeth Morgan
Many women experience weight gain during the premenstrual phase or the two weeks immediately before their periods. Some of this weight gain is temporary and is caused by fluid retention in the body resulting from hormonal changes. Sometimes, certain food cravings during the premenstrual phase may result in binge-eating that eventually causes weight gain. If a woman has bad period pain, headaches, or mood changes, she may be less likely to adhere to her regular exercise routine. Limited exercise, combined with increased eating, work together to increase weight. Certain antidepressant medications may also cause weight gain as a side effect.
There are several ways to reduce weight gain during the premenstrual phase. A regular exercise routine and a balanced, nutritious diet are the most important lifestyle factors. Foods high in refined sugars should be replaced with those that are high in complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Food cravings can be managed by getting adequate sleep, eating smaller and more frequent meals, limiting caffeine intake, staying well hydrated, and doing at least some exercise. Reducing salt intake in the last few days before ones period can help minimize bloating and fluid retention. If fluid retention and bloating are pronounced, a diuretic such as spironolactone can be used to remove excess fluid from the body. Calcium supplements may also help reduce bloating and other PMS symptoms.
If a woman is on antidepressant medication, she can discuss with her physician the possibility of switching to a drug that does not cause weight gain. If this is not possible, weight loss strategies, such as increased exercise and a diet that restricts the total number of calories consumed, can help. Discontinuing antidepressant medication may result in worsening depression and should not be considered as a weight loss option.
PMS provides detailed information about PMS, PMS remedy, PMS symptoms, PMS treatment and more. PMS is the sister site of Ovulation And Conception.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan
By Elizabeth Morgan
Many women experience weight gain during the premenstrual phase or the two weeks immediately before their periods. Some of this weight gain is temporary and is caused by fluid retention in the body resulting from hormonal changes. Sometimes, certain food cravings during the premenstrual phase may result in binge-eating that eventually causes weight gain. If a woman has bad period pain, headaches, or mood changes, she may be less likely to adhere to her regular exercise routine. Limited exercise, combined with increased eating, work together to increase weight. Certain antidepressant medications may also cause weight gain as a side effect.
There are several ways to reduce weight gain during the premenstrual phase. A regular exercise routine and a balanced, nutritious diet are the most important lifestyle factors. Foods high in refined sugars should be replaced with those that are high in complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Food cravings can be managed by getting adequate sleep, eating smaller and more frequent meals, limiting caffeine intake, staying well hydrated, and doing at least some exercise. Reducing salt intake in the last few days before ones period can help minimize bloating and fluid retention. If fluid retention and bloating are pronounced, a diuretic such as spironolactone can be used to remove excess fluid from the body. Calcium supplements may also help reduce bloating and other PMS symptoms.
If a woman is on antidepressant medication, she can discuss with her physician the possibility of switching to a drug that does not cause weight gain. If this is not possible, weight loss strategies, such as increased exercise and a diet that restricts the total number of calories consumed, can help. Discontinuing antidepressant medication may result in worsening depression and should not be considered as a weight loss option.
PMS provides detailed information about PMS, PMS remedy, PMS symptoms, PMS treatment and more. PMS is the sister site of Ovulation And Conception.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Weight Loss Tips for Women: 5 Solutions to Staying Slim
Weight Loss Tips for Women: 5 Solutions to Staying Slim
by Katie Jay
So congratulations! Youve lost some weight! Now, how do you keep it off?
When youve spent weeks or even months striving and sacrificing, you dont want to have your spirits sink as you see the scale start to go up. For most of us, regardless of our weight loss method, weight regain is a real possibility. But is it inevitable?
Follow these five sure tricks, and your scale will stay put:
If you gain a pound, lose it! People who are successful at maintaining a weight loss weigh themselves at least twice a week. Pick regular times of day, and regular days of the week, to weigh and keep a chart. If you find youre up a pound or two, follow a healthy and structured food plan until the extra weight comes off again.
Have planned snacks instead of grazing. To combat rampant, spontaneous snacking, plan a couple of balanced snacks every day that you can measure out and enjoy. Be sure to include some protein and complex carbohydrates in your snack. If you feed yourself a bit more frequently, you will be less likely to graze mindlessly.
Balance your treats with healthy choices. You can have an occasional treat, but you can also have an occasional healthy choice. Keep the treat small so that you dont get a big sugar or unrefined carb rush. And if you must eat sugar or an unrefined carb, eat a little protein with it so that your blood sugar doesnt crash and cause cravings for more of the same.
Admit your trigger foods and avoid them. All you have to do is look at certain foods and you know youll eat them. Dont keep any snack foods in plain site around your house. Put them away. If you find yourself going to the cupboard or refrigerator to peruse the snack items, youll need to keep the trigger foods out of your house altogether.
Experiment and use the tools that work for you. Many dieters hate the act of writing down what they eat. Some dislike exercise. Others abhor weighing and measuring their food. Still others will not give up sugar and unrefined carbs. You need to be honest with yourself, though. These tools are proven to work. So, experiment with all the tools available to you and use the ones that work.
Weight regain is not inevitable, but you need to take action to avoid it. Apply these solutions to your life and you will find weight maintenance to be simple and satisfying.
Katie Jay is the director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, a certified life coach and author of the courageous book, "Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope For Living." For more info on the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery see http://www.nawls.com
Article Source: http://www.ladypens.com
by Katie Jay
So congratulations! Youve lost some weight! Now, how do you keep it off?
When youve spent weeks or even months striving and sacrificing, you dont want to have your spirits sink as you see the scale start to go up. For most of us, regardless of our weight loss method, weight regain is a real possibility. But is it inevitable?
Follow these five sure tricks, and your scale will stay put:
If you gain a pound, lose it! People who are successful at maintaining a weight loss weigh themselves at least twice a week. Pick regular times of day, and regular days of the week, to weigh and keep a chart. If you find youre up a pound or two, follow a healthy and structured food plan until the extra weight comes off again.
Have planned snacks instead of grazing. To combat rampant, spontaneous snacking, plan a couple of balanced snacks every day that you can measure out and enjoy. Be sure to include some protein and complex carbohydrates in your snack. If you feed yourself a bit more frequently, you will be less likely to graze mindlessly.
Balance your treats with healthy choices. You can have an occasional treat, but you can also have an occasional healthy choice. Keep the treat small so that you dont get a big sugar or unrefined carb rush. And if you must eat sugar or an unrefined carb, eat a little protein with it so that your blood sugar doesnt crash and cause cravings for more of the same.
Admit your trigger foods and avoid them. All you have to do is look at certain foods and you know youll eat them. Dont keep any snack foods in plain site around your house. Put them away. If you find yourself going to the cupboard or refrigerator to peruse the snack items, youll need to keep the trigger foods out of your house altogether.
Experiment and use the tools that work for you. Many dieters hate the act of writing down what they eat. Some dislike exercise. Others abhor weighing and measuring their food. Still others will not give up sugar and unrefined carbs. You need to be honest with yourself, though. These tools are proven to work. So, experiment with all the tools available to you and use the ones that work.
Weight regain is not inevitable, but you need to take action to avoid it. Apply these solutions to your life and you will find weight maintenance to be simple and satisfying.
Katie Jay is the director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, a certified life coach and author of the courageous book, "Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope For Living." For more info on the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery see http://www.nawls.com
Article Source: http://www.ladypens.com
Thursday, April 27, 2006
If Janet Jackson Can Do It, So Can I!
Check out the pics of Janet below. Im sure you all heard the rumor of her gaining lots of weight and having to take it off due to her upcoming album. Well from what I heard, she dropped all that weight in 4 months. Wow! Seeing these picture was an inspiration to me and I hope it is to you as well.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Core Training
Core Training by Linda Geyer
Core training is a new focus in our fitness industry. The 90’s fitness world was high-impact, step aerobics and cardio mania. It was all about burning off the fat with little concern for the hip, knee and back areas. We learn from the past and now focus on core conditioning in our workout programs.
The word core is defined as the innermost part. The torso, the midsection of the body, or core, is the base of stability from which movement occurs. For the purpose of this article, consider core conditioning training the deep muscles of the spine, pelvis, hip, shoulder and scapula. When standing unsupported, you are limited by your body’s weakest link. This weak link is the ability of the core, or midsection, to stabilize the body and not be pulled off balance.
Simply put, you don’t build the walls and the roof of your house before the foundation. Your body’s source of strength is your core, much like the foundation of a house. When building or toning a strong body, you want to build from the inside out. Build a foundation (your body’s core) before you build definition in isolated muscles.
Your body goes through a sequence of movements from the inside out. You literally are unable to do an exercise if your body doesn’t start at the core in stabilization. At the core, the rest of your body’s natural links (the pelvic and shoulder girdles) transfer the movements and forces to the extremities, allowing you to lift the weight. The smaller joints will need to absorb less stress if your body practices and increases the ability to sequence these movement patterns. Core training respects this integrated approach, allowing the body to work in mass movement patterns and all ranges of motion. Remember, your body is a unit with the entire system working together and every segment in the chain being equally important.
To apply core training principles, instead of thinking of individual muscles, think of body movements. Lunges, squats, pushing, pulling and rotation movement patterns are good examples. When doing any type of exercise hold your abs and lower back firm to give your entire body support and stability.
In the gym we use the physio ball to help develop the core. Properly using the physio ball can enhance balance, stabilization and strength training to a specific area all at one time. We have clients sit on the ball while performing other exercises, which in turn trains the core at the same time. The benefits of core conditioning are injury prevention from daily activities and sports, as well as stronger foundations for general fitness and body building.
Linda Geyer, entrepreneur, speaker and author has spent her entire career in health related businesses helping clients and audiences make health a priority. She is Founder and CEO of Vitality Management and owner of Peak Physique Fitness Training in Michigan. Linda inspires, motivates and educates on health prevention through exercise, healthy eating and positive attitude. For FREE tips go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com
To contact Linda, email linda@peakphysiquefitness.com
Article Source: http://articleson.com
Core training is a new focus in our fitness industry. The 90’s fitness world was high-impact, step aerobics and cardio mania. It was all about burning off the fat with little concern for the hip, knee and back areas. We learn from the past and now focus on core conditioning in our workout programs.
The word core is defined as the innermost part. The torso, the midsection of the body, or core, is the base of stability from which movement occurs. For the purpose of this article, consider core conditioning training the deep muscles of the spine, pelvis, hip, shoulder and scapula. When standing unsupported, you are limited by your body’s weakest link. This weak link is the ability of the core, or midsection, to stabilize the body and not be pulled off balance.
Simply put, you don’t build the walls and the roof of your house before the foundation. Your body’s source of strength is your core, much like the foundation of a house. When building or toning a strong body, you want to build from the inside out. Build a foundation (your body’s core) before you build definition in isolated muscles.
Your body goes through a sequence of movements from the inside out. You literally are unable to do an exercise if your body doesn’t start at the core in stabilization. At the core, the rest of your body’s natural links (the pelvic and shoulder girdles) transfer the movements and forces to the extremities, allowing you to lift the weight. The smaller joints will need to absorb less stress if your body practices and increases the ability to sequence these movement patterns. Core training respects this integrated approach, allowing the body to work in mass movement patterns and all ranges of motion. Remember, your body is a unit with the entire system working together and every segment in the chain being equally important.
To apply core training principles, instead of thinking of individual muscles, think of body movements. Lunges, squats, pushing, pulling and rotation movement patterns are good examples. When doing any type of exercise hold your abs and lower back firm to give your entire body support and stability.
In the gym we use the physio ball to help develop the core. Properly using the physio ball can enhance balance, stabilization and strength training to a specific area all at one time. We have clients sit on the ball while performing other exercises, which in turn trains the core at the same time. The benefits of core conditioning are injury prevention from daily activities and sports, as well as stronger foundations for general fitness and body building.
Linda Geyer, entrepreneur, speaker and author has spent her entire career in health related businesses helping clients and audiences make health a priority. She is Founder and CEO of Vitality Management and owner of Peak Physique Fitness Training in Michigan. Linda inspires, motivates and educates on health prevention through exercise, healthy eating and positive attitude. For FREE tips go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com
To contact Linda, email linda@peakphysiquefitness.com
Article Source: http://articleson.com
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Help to Reduce Belly Fat
Help to Reduce Belly Fat
By Kathryn Martyn, M.NLP
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?
If you have excess weight only in specific parts of your body, you still must look at yourself as a whole. It's not possible to spot reduce; in other words, you can't dictate that you only want weight to come off one place or another. In most cases your so called "trouble spots" is where the fat will come off last, so be prepared to lose weight in your fingers (rings fall off) and your face (friends may ask if you're feeling all right) first. There is hope for losing that belly fat though.
Work Toward Building Muscle and Reducing Body Fat
If you work toward building muscle and reducing body fat you will eventually tackle those trouble spots though, and develop a better physique in the process. Muscle tissue is active meaning it requires calories to be maintained. If you were stranded without a food supply, eventually your body would turn to its own muscle tissue as a source of nutrition first (muscles are protein) while saving the fat stores for last. Simply put, fat is nature's way of ensuring survival during times of famine. That's why the prevalence of heart failure kills someone who is severely malnourished. By building more muscle you become a more efficient energy burning machine which translates to mean you can eat more food! That to me is a good thing.
The More Active You Are, The More You Get to Eat!
That explains why some people can eat so much more than others yet not gain weight; your efficient energy burning friend simply has a greater proportion of muscle to fat than you. Muscle is more dense than fat. It's often said that a pound of muscle is heavier than a pound of fat, but the truth is a pound is a pound. What they mean is a one pound volume of muscle is a smaller package than a one pound volume of fat, or put another way, fat is billowy and fluffy while muscle is sleek and compact. Lady No. 1 weighs 120 pounds with 30% body fat so she has 84 pounds of lean tissue and 36 pounds of fat, while Lady No. 2 also weighing 120 pounds but at 18% body fat is carrying roughly 98 pounds of muscle and 22 pounds of fat. Would you rather be Lady No. 1 or Lady No. 2? Which do you think takes up more space, 22 or 36 pounds of fat? I'd say 36 pounds of fat would be a lot bigger package than 22 pounds.
How Much You Weigh is Meaningless
That is why body weight as a number by itself is meaningless, but your ratio of fat to muscle is very important and worth working to change. Strive to decrease your body fat and increase your muscle mass and you'll look better, you'll feel stronger and more energetic and you'll simply be healthier.
You can generally have your body fat tested at fitness centers and most gyms so ask about having it done. It's better to know you have 30% body fat and work to reduce it to 29, than not to know and only think in terms of body weight. Most people who think only of how much they weigh tend to do everything to reduce that weight, and it's usually at the expense of losing more valuable muscle.
The best way to increase muscle and decrease fat is through a consistent exercise program. Start at whatever is your beginning, but do start.
Begin with an overall body conditioning type exercise program, doing whatever you enjoy, whether it be a sport, gardening, weight lifting, biking, hiking, or any other activity. Any physical movement you do regularly counts as exercise even if it is doing laundry or taking out the trash. Get as much as you can out of every chore you do, and stop thinking of it as a chore but instead as an opportunity to move your body.
In the early 1900s a washing machine was a new invention. People used to wash their clothes by hand, and hang them outside to dry. Being a housewife was actually a pretty strenuous job. It's no wonder women were thankful for modern conveniences like automatic washers and dryers, but now we've come to where our daily activities are not taking our bodies at all, so unless we want to get fatter and fatter we must do something about it.
Get Fit and Belly Fat Disappears
It doesn't make sense to drive around and around in the parking lot looking for the closest space when you're on your way to run or walk on the treadmill. Why take the elevator five flights every day at work and then pay a monthly fee to do the StairMaster after work? What if we all started to notice that our world is full of exercise equipment.
We could become so much more fit if we'd just start to notice all the opportunities for physical movement we miss in the name of convenience. Look around and see if you can spot some exercise opportunities, and then get busy and get fit.
~~ Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of the free e-book: Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com
Get The Daily Bites: Inspirational Mini Lessons Using EFT and NLP for Ending the Struggle with Weight Loss.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Martyn,_M.NLP
By Kathryn Martyn, M.NLP
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?
If you have excess weight only in specific parts of your body, you still must look at yourself as a whole. It's not possible to spot reduce; in other words, you can't dictate that you only want weight to come off one place or another. In most cases your so called "trouble spots" is where the fat will come off last, so be prepared to lose weight in your fingers (rings fall off) and your face (friends may ask if you're feeling all right) first. There is hope for losing that belly fat though.
Work Toward Building Muscle and Reducing Body Fat
If you work toward building muscle and reducing body fat you will eventually tackle those trouble spots though, and develop a better physique in the process. Muscle tissue is active meaning it requires calories to be maintained. If you were stranded without a food supply, eventually your body would turn to its own muscle tissue as a source of nutrition first (muscles are protein) while saving the fat stores for last. Simply put, fat is nature's way of ensuring survival during times of famine. That's why the prevalence of heart failure kills someone who is severely malnourished. By building more muscle you become a more efficient energy burning machine which translates to mean you can eat more food! That to me is a good thing.
The More Active You Are, The More You Get to Eat!
That explains why some people can eat so much more than others yet not gain weight; your efficient energy burning friend simply has a greater proportion of muscle to fat than you. Muscle is more dense than fat. It's often said that a pound of muscle is heavier than a pound of fat, but the truth is a pound is a pound. What they mean is a one pound volume of muscle is a smaller package than a one pound volume of fat, or put another way, fat is billowy and fluffy while muscle is sleek and compact. Lady No. 1 weighs 120 pounds with 30% body fat so she has 84 pounds of lean tissue and 36 pounds of fat, while Lady No. 2 also weighing 120 pounds but at 18% body fat is carrying roughly 98 pounds of muscle and 22 pounds of fat. Would you rather be Lady No. 1 or Lady No. 2? Which do you think takes up more space, 22 or 36 pounds of fat? I'd say 36 pounds of fat would be a lot bigger package than 22 pounds.
How Much You Weigh is Meaningless
That is why body weight as a number by itself is meaningless, but your ratio of fat to muscle is very important and worth working to change. Strive to decrease your body fat and increase your muscle mass and you'll look better, you'll feel stronger and more energetic and you'll simply be healthier.
You can generally have your body fat tested at fitness centers and most gyms so ask about having it done. It's better to know you have 30% body fat and work to reduce it to 29, than not to know and only think in terms of body weight. Most people who think only of how much they weigh tend to do everything to reduce that weight, and it's usually at the expense of losing more valuable muscle.
The best way to increase muscle and decrease fat is through a consistent exercise program. Start at whatever is your beginning, but do start.
Begin with an overall body conditioning type exercise program, doing whatever you enjoy, whether it be a sport, gardening, weight lifting, biking, hiking, or any other activity. Any physical movement you do regularly counts as exercise even if it is doing laundry or taking out the trash. Get as much as you can out of every chore you do, and stop thinking of it as a chore but instead as an opportunity to move your body.
In the early 1900s a washing machine was a new invention. People used to wash their clothes by hand, and hang them outside to dry. Being a housewife was actually a pretty strenuous job. It's no wonder women were thankful for modern conveniences like automatic washers and dryers, but now we've come to where our daily activities are not taking our bodies at all, so unless we want to get fatter and fatter we must do something about it.
Get Fit and Belly Fat Disappears
It doesn't make sense to drive around and around in the parking lot looking for the closest space when you're on your way to run or walk on the treadmill. Why take the elevator five flights every day at work and then pay a monthly fee to do the StairMaster after work? What if we all started to notice that our world is full of exercise equipment.
We could become so much more fit if we'd just start to notice all the opportunities for physical movement we miss in the name of convenience. Look around and see if you can spot some exercise opportunities, and then get busy and get fit.
~~ Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of the free e-book: Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com
Get The Daily Bites: Inspirational Mini Lessons Using EFT and NLP for Ending the Struggle with Weight Loss.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Martyn,_M.NLP
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Tips and Motivational Advice for Keeping Fit One Day at a Time
Tips and Motivational Advice for Keeping Fit One Day at a Time
by Beverley Brooke
Let's face it...
Losing weight and feeling great isn't easy.
BUT the journey is well worth it!
Many people commit to their health and well being via a New Years resolution. Why not? The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and commitment to your health.
How do you remain motivated however for an entire year?
The single most important piece of advice I can offer you is this:
Don't give up, and pick yourself back up when you stumble or fall.
Everyone slips here and there. Just because you had one cheat day doesn't mean your entire fitness and exercise program needs to be ruined.
On the contrary. Everyone slips now and again.
The key to sticking with a program is to make the slips MUCH less frequent than the days you are firmly committed to your program.
So have that piece of chocolate on occasion and don't beat yourself up for it.
Here are some additional great ideas for staying motivated throughout the year:
Tip 1
Don't make a habit of skipping breakfast.
You should never skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and revs your metabolism to burn calories each and every day.
When you skip breakfast, you are more likely to overeat and then feel guilty later in the day.
Tip 2
Don't weigh yourself every day. In fact, you should weigh yourself only once a week, and when you do you should do it at the same time wearing nothing.
Why? Your weight actually fluctuates a good 2-5 pounds from day to day.
Much of this is associated with fluid retention, thus has nothing to do with your actual fat gain or loss. Weighing yourself too often can be discouraging rather than encouraging.
Tip 3
Grab a partner in crime.
Find someone that can be your partner in fitness. Call them when you are feeling unmotivated, and have them do the same.
You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone to lean on when times get tough.
Tip 4
Don't skip a workout because you are tired.
Did you know that working out will actually help invigorate you? If you are truly exhausted, consider toning down your workout, but never give it up completely!
Tip 5
Reward yourself on occasion.
All work and no play is not the way to go when it comes to your overall health and well being.
Consider booking yourself for a massage or other pampering treat each month to keep you feeling great mentally and physically.
Last but not least, remember to take small steps.
Don't set outrageous goals. You won't lose 10 pounds in one week, but you might lose up to 2.
Over inflated goals will only serve to defeat you in the long run. Set reasonable goals and you will find yourself much more motivated throughout the year!
About the Author
Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse - Free health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletter http://www.healthandfinesse.com
by Beverley Brooke
Let's face it...
Losing weight and feeling great isn't easy.
BUT the journey is well worth it!
Many people commit to their health and well being via a New Years resolution. Why not? The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and commitment to your health.
How do you remain motivated however for an entire year?
The single most important piece of advice I can offer you is this:
Don't give up, and pick yourself back up when you stumble or fall.
Everyone slips here and there. Just because you had one cheat day doesn't mean your entire fitness and exercise program needs to be ruined.
On the contrary. Everyone slips now and again.
The key to sticking with a program is to make the slips MUCH less frequent than the days you are firmly committed to your program.
So have that piece of chocolate on occasion and don't beat yourself up for it.
Here are some additional great ideas for staying motivated throughout the year:
Tip 1
Don't make a habit of skipping breakfast.
You should never skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and revs your metabolism to burn calories each and every day.
When you skip breakfast, you are more likely to overeat and then feel guilty later in the day.
Tip 2
Don't weigh yourself every day. In fact, you should weigh yourself only once a week, and when you do you should do it at the same time wearing nothing.
Why? Your weight actually fluctuates a good 2-5 pounds from day to day.
Much of this is associated with fluid retention, thus has nothing to do with your actual fat gain or loss. Weighing yourself too often can be discouraging rather than encouraging.
Tip 3
Grab a partner in crime.
Find someone that can be your partner in fitness. Call them when you are feeling unmotivated, and have them do the same.
You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone to lean on when times get tough.
Tip 4
Don't skip a workout because you are tired.
Did you know that working out will actually help invigorate you? If you are truly exhausted, consider toning down your workout, but never give it up completely!
Tip 5
Reward yourself on occasion.
All work and no play is not the way to go when it comes to your overall health and well being.
Consider booking yourself for a massage or other pampering treat each month to keep you feeling great mentally and physically.
Last but not least, remember to take small steps.
Don't set outrageous goals. You won't lose 10 pounds in one week, but you might lose up to 2.
Over inflated goals will only serve to defeat you in the long run. Set reasonable goals and you will find yourself much more motivated throughout the year!
About the Author
Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse - Free health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletter http://www.healthandfinesse.com
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Easy Dieting Tips and Tricks
Easy Dieting Tips and Tricks
By Stuart Simpson
What can you do to loose weight? There are some simple ideas to help you. You know what they are but try practicing these simple and effective ideas to lose weight and stay slim.
Eat Breakfast. Skipping this meal may cause you to overeat later in the day. If you do have a piece of toast, skip the butter. You’ll be better off to have preserves on it than high fat butter or margarine.
Don’t let your caloric intake drop below 1200 calories a day. This is a minimal number your body needs to function. When you do this, your metabolism slows and so do you. Your body actually starts to shut down as it thinks you are starving. I use to do this. I was tired all the time. It wasn’t worth it.
Writing a food journal can help you establish if you are eating for hunger or to an emotional or social response. It also helps you trace back to see if any foods have made you ill or you have an adverse reaction to some foods.
High fiber foods are not only good for you, but they give you a full feeling. Try to find foods with at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. Whole grains and bread aren’t the devil. When choosing bread, a high fiber choice may keep you from overindulging.
Trans fats are bad. Check the labels. Watch out for “partially hydrogenated oils.” This also goes for when you eat out. Ask for your salad dressingon the side. A loaded salad can easily have your entire calorie allotment for one day.
Eat Slowly. It takes your stomach 20 minutes to feel full. Don’t drink calories. Instead of soda, order water or unsweetened tea. I know, but after a while, you get used to it. Besides, it’s cheaper to drink water in most restaurants.
I hope these basic tips and ideas will get you back on the path not only to healthy eating, but possible weight loss.
Stuart Simpson
http://www.best-diet-review.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Simpson
By Stuart Simpson
What can you do to loose weight? There are some simple ideas to help you. You know what they are but try practicing these simple and effective ideas to lose weight and stay slim.
Eat Breakfast. Skipping this meal may cause you to overeat later in the day. If you do have a piece of toast, skip the butter. You’ll be better off to have preserves on it than high fat butter or margarine.
Don’t let your caloric intake drop below 1200 calories a day. This is a minimal number your body needs to function. When you do this, your metabolism slows and so do you. Your body actually starts to shut down as it thinks you are starving. I use to do this. I was tired all the time. It wasn’t worth it.
Writing a food journal can help you establish if you are eating for hunger or to an emotional or social response. It also helps you trace back to see if any foods have made you ill or you have an adverse reaction to some foods.
High fiber foods are not only good for you, but they give you a full feeling. Try to find foods with at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. Whole grains and bread aren’t the devil. When choosing bread, a high fiber choice may keep you from overindulging.
Trans fats are bad. Check the labels. Watch out for “partially hydrogenated oils.” This also goes for when you eat out. Ask for your salad dressingon the side. A loaded salad can easily have your entire calorie allotment for one day.
Eat Slowly. It takes your stomach 20 minutes to feel full. Don’t drink calories. Instead of soda, order water or unsweetened tea. I know, but after a while, you get used to it. Besides, it’s cheaper to drink water in most restaurants.
I hope these basic tips and ideas will get you back on the path not only to healthy eating, but possible weight loss.
Stuart Simpson
http://www.best-diet-review.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Simpson
Monday, April 03, 2006
FAT LOSS: The Truth on Fat Loss and how to Achieve it!
FAT LOSS: The Truth on Fat Loss and how to Achieve it!
Fat Loss in General
This morning I conducted a search engine "search" on the word fat loss. "Fat Loss" and "Fat Loss Supplements", being the most popular keywords, came up with a combined 1800 links, in one search engine. I went to the next search engine I ran a word count on "fat loss" rather than a link count. The results came up as 46106! WOW! Why is it that fat loss / losing body fat related information and products are so much in demand, yet obesity and being overweight are on the up and up, and are actually at the highest rate ever. With the health and fitness industry booming it seems absurd that this is occurring. Doesn't it?
Temptation and Obstacles Effecting Your Attempts at Fat Loss
The fact is that losing body fat or fat loss is not easy. We are tempted every day with fast fatty and sugary foods with super deals of quick easy meals involving drive through access and home delivery. These fast food meals are "fast" and often "affordable" with meal deals for a family of four sometimes costing under $10 - $12. Who wouldn't pass this up! Before you know it, it's the end of the day, the family is hungry, dinner time is drawing nigh and your beat. I can fully understand why people choose this option when our lifestyles are so hectic.
The Alcohol "Social and Relaxation" Temptation
An odd heading for this paragraph, I know, but I needed to draw your attention to the fact that alcohol will not help your fat loss efforts. I know we hear the saying so often that "doctors say that it's healthy to have one or two wines per day", however this is in regards to the properties of red wine assisting in the prevention of clogged arteries - not a fat loss miracle! If red wine is necessary for medicinal purposes and perscribed by a doctor then obviously your health comes first. However the topic here is fat loss........................
My views are "everything in moderation". BUT I DO KNOW THAT if you want to make a genuine effort to lose body fat that a couple of alcoholic drinks per day could easily effect your fat loss attempts. So unless your's is the case above then I would seriously think about "cutting back".
Since I began as a trainer years ago I have found that it is usually junk food or alcohol that prevents my clients from losing body fat. Just going without those few EXTRA drinks after work or consuming less alcohol at social gatherings will make a considerable difference to how much body fat you lose.
Quit Fooling Yourself
Do not fool yourself by thinking that if you just exercise for one extra session per week you can rid yourself of all those extra calories and fat from alcohol and food. Unfortunately our bodies aren't that easily fixed.
Why Most People Don't Succeed at Losing Body Fat
Other than the temptations mentioned above people tend not to succeed at fat loss because they are either not committed, not well informed on fat loss or they are committed for the wrong reasons. In other words you either aren't abiding by the rules, or have been mislead by some other belief or you are trying to lose body fat because you are trying to keep other people happy by doing so rather than yourself.
Making Sure You are Trying to Lose Body Fat to Please YOU, Not Everyone Else.
Think about why it is you want to lose body fat. Make sure you really want to put in 100ffort.. You want to feel great about making this decision not obliged to do it. Losing body fat can help increase your self-esteem as well as boosting your health so giving it your best shot with a positive frame of mind is always the "way to go".
Things that You Should Do Before You Get Started!
First you may want to make notes on what time of the day, when and where that you will most probably find it the most difficult to stick to this program. If, say for instance, "calling in at the drive thru for fast food on the way home from work or picking the children up" is where you find that you are most likely to go wrong then be prepared for it by making the appropriate changes. eg Having a meal which is already partly prepared in the fridge so that it will only take an extra 10 - 15 minutes to cook. Being organised with food preparation is very very important. It is exhausting coming home after a long day and realising you have to then organise something for dinner (amongst other things) You can bet the children would jump for joy if you offered them Mac's - so you do - at least there is no washing up the dishes after dinner either...Sound familiar?
Re-orgnanising Your Lifestyle - Don't Make it Difficult on Yourself!
Re-orgnanising your lifestyle may be quite a challenge for most people and families. But if you want to succeed at fat loss I am sure you want to be able to do it without tearing your hair out. Your goal is to re-arrange and plan your day so that you, your family and your new lifestyle can run smoothly. Such as planning your low-fat meals and recipes in a diary. Planning your grocery shop with a shopping list to prevent you from buying unnecessary junk food is also a great idea. Pre-preparing meals, making appointments for your exercise time slot etc all needs to be written into your appointment book or diary. You can tick each appointment off as the day progresses. When planning your shopping list remember, that unless you have the time, don't go getting all creative with lowfat banquets etc for lunches and dinner. Choose simple to prepare ingredients and meals.
What Exercise Should I be Performing to Burn Body Fat?
There seems to be alot of controversy over what to do and what not to do when it comes to "fat burning" exercise. Mostly it depends on your fitness level and if you have any type of injuries, back pain or medical conditions that may affect what you can and can't do. Make sure you check with your doctor first before starting any type of exercise or eating program, so he / she can indicate and provide you with a letter verifying that it is "ok" for you to start exercising and at what level.
Different Types of Exercising for Fat Burning
Treadmills, indoor cycles, cardiovascular machines etc any of these are great for performing fat burning exercise, provided your doctor says it's cool to go ahead with it. If you enjoy being outdoors then walking and cycling are also great. Finding a program that suits your bodies needs and fitness level is important. Make sure you add variety to your fat burning program as you advance adding hills, inclines and speed rather than increasing the time. A reasonable time for fat burning is approx 20 - 30 mins.
You should also know that if you increase the time of your fat burning session, and not the intensity and other variations, you will find that as you advance your program your sessions may become too long. This will only encourage you to think that your exercise is becoming too time consuming and a chore - which will lead you to "throwing in the towel". So keep up the variety to keep it interesting.
The Wrong Program for You: A Common Mistake that Leads to Lack of Fat Loss
Have you ever read a successful fat loss story that you, and everyone else you know, tried only to find that it didn't work that well for you or them? Did you stop to think that maybe the person in the success story had their program specifically designed for their body type, not yours! If you really want to "kick some fat loss butt" you need a program that is designed to suit your body type and fitness level. Don't expect super results from a program that someone else used, remember they may have had a different metabolism, fitness level, body shape and eating program to you, which makes it very difficult for you to reach the same levels of fatloss as they did.
FREE FAT LOSS EXERCISE Sample Program
This program is a sample program to give you an idea of the variations you can use for your fat burning programs.
Where to go from here.............
After reading this article you should have a greater knowledge of where you may be going wrong with your fat loss or how to get started on a new fat burning program.
If you are keen to get started on your own personally designed health and fitness program please feel welcome to visit my web site: http://www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com/.
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Happy Training!
Kind Regards Yours in fun, health and fitness Mandy GibbonsVirtual Fitness Trainer http://www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com/
Fat Loss in General
This morning I conducted a search engine "search" on the word fat loss. "Fat Loss" and "Fat Loss Supplements", being the most popular keywords, came up with a combined 1800 links, in one search engine. I went to the next search engine I ran a word count on "fat loss" rather than a link count. The results came up as 46106! WOW! Why is it that fat loss / losing body fat related information and products are so much in demand, yet obesity and being overweight are on the up and up, and are actually at the highest rate ever. With the health and fitness industry booming it seems absurd that this is occurring. Doesn't it?
Temptation and Obstacles Effecting Your Attempts at Fat Loss
The fact is that losing body fat or fat loss is not easy. We are tempted every day with fast fatty and sugary foods with super deals of quick easy meals involving drive through access and home delivery. These fast food meals are "fast" and often "affordable" with meal deals for a family of four sometimes costing under $10 - $12. Who wouldn't pass this up! Before you know it, it's the end of the day, the family is hungry, dinner time is drawing nigh and your beat. I can fully understand why people choose this option when our lifestyles are so hectic.
The Alcohol "Social and Relaxation" Temptation
An odd heading for this paragraph, I know, but I needed to draw your attention to the fact that alcohol will not help your fat loss efforts. I know we hear the saying so often that "doctors say that it's healthy to have one or two wines per day", however this is in regards to the properties of red wine assisting in the prevention of clogged arteries - not a fat loss miracle! If red wine is necessary for medicinal purposes and perscribed by a doctor then obviously your health comes first. However the topic here is fat loss........................
My views are "everything in moderation". BUT I DO KNOW THAT if you want to make a genuine effort to lose body fat that a couple of alcoholic drinks per day could easily effect your fat loss attempts. So unless your's is the case above then I would seriously think about "cutting back".
Since I began as a trainer years ago I have found that it is usually junk food or alcohol that prevents my clients from losing body fat. Just going without those few EXTRA drinks after work or consuming less alcohol at social gatherings will make a considerable difference to how much body fat you lose.
Quit Fooling Yourself
Do not fool yourself by thinking that if you just exercise for one extra session per week you can rid yourself of all those extra calories and fat from alcohol and food. Unfortunately our bodies aren't that easily fixed.
Why Most People Don't Succeed at Losing Body Fat
Other than the temptations mentioned above people tend not to succeed at fat loss because they are either not committed, not well informed on fat loss or they are committed for the wrong reasons. In other words you either aren't abiding by the rules, or have been mislead by some other belief or you are trying to lose body fat because you are trying to keep other people happy by doing so rather than yourself.
Making Sure You are Trying to Lose Body Fat to Please YOU, Not Everyone Else.
Think about why it is you want to lose body fat. Make sure you really want to put in 100ffort.. You want to feel great about making this decision not obliged to do it. Losing body fat can help increase your self-esteem as well as boosting your health so giving it your best shot with a positive frame of mind is always the "way to go".
Things that You Should Do Before You Get Started!
First you may want to make notes on what time of the day, when and where that you will most probably find it the most difficult to stick to this program. If, say for instance, "calling in at the drive thru for fast food on the way home from work or picking the children up" is where you find that you are most likely to go wrong then be prepared for it by making the appropriate changes. eg Having a meal which is already partly prepared in the fridge so that it will only take an extra 10 - 15 minutes to cook. Being organised with food preparation is very very important. It is exhausting coming home after a long day and realising you have to then organise something for dinner (amongst other things) You can bet the children would jump for joy if you offered them Mac's - so you do - at least there is no washing up the dishes after dinner either...Sound familiar?
Re-orgnanising Your Lifestyle - Don't Make it Difficult on Yourself!
Re-orgnanising your lifestyle may be quite a challenge for most people and families. But if you want to succeed at fat loss I am sure you want to be able to do it without tearing your hair out. Your goal is to re-arrange and plan your day so that you, your family and your new lifestyle can run smoothly. Such as planning your low-fat meals and recipes in a diary. Planning your grocery shop with a shopping list to prevent you from buying unnecessary junk food is also a great idea. Pre-preparing meals, making appointments for your exercise time slot etc all needs to be written into your appointment book or diary. You can tick each appointment off as the day progresses. When planning your shopping list remember, that unless you have the time, don't go getting all creative with lowfat banquets etc for lunches and dinner. Choose simple to prepare ingredients and meals.
What Exercise Should I be Performing to Burn Body Fat?
There seems to be alot of controversy over what to do and what not to do when it comes to "fat burning" exercise. Mostly it depends on your fitness level and if you have any type of injuries, back pain or medical conditions that may affect what you can and can't do. Make sure you check with your doctor first before starting any type of exercise or eating program, so he / she can indicate and provide you with a letter verifying that it is "ok" for you to start exercising and at what level.
Different Types of Exercising for Fat Burning
Treadmills, indoor cycles, cardiovascular machines etc any of these are great for performing fat burning exercise, provided your doctor says it's cool to go ahead with it. If you enjoy being outdoors then walking and cycling are also great. Finding a program that suits your bodies needs and fitness level is important. Make sure you add variety to your fat burning program as you advance adding hills, inclines and speed rather than increasing the time. A reasonable time for fat burning is approx 20 - 30 mins.
You should also know that if you increase the time of your fat burning session, and not the intensity and other variations, you will find that as you advance your program your sessions may become too long. This will only encourage you to think that your exercise is becoming too time consuming and a chore - which will lead you to "throwing in the towel". So keep up the variety to keep it interesting.
The Wrong Program for You: A Common Mistake that Leads to Lack of Fat Loss
Have you ever read a successful fat loss story that you, and everyone else you know, tried only to find that it didn't work that well for you or them? Did you stop to think that maybe the person in the success story had their program specifically designed for their body type, not yours! If you really want to "kick some fat loss butt" you need a program that is designed to suit your body type and fitness level. Don't expect super results from a program that someone else used, remember they may have had a different metabolism, fitness level, body shape and eating program to you, which makes it very difficult for you to reach the same levels of fatloss as they did.
FREE FAT LOSS EXERCISE Sample Program
This program is a sample program to give you an idea of the variations you can use for your fat burning programs.
Where to go from here.............
After reading this article you should have a greater knowledge of where you may be going wrong with your fat loss or how to get started on a new fat burning program.
If you are keen to get started on your own personally designed health and fitness program please feel welcome to visit my web site: http://www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com/.
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Happy Training!
Kind Regards Yours in fun, health and fitness Mandy GibbonsVirtual Fitness Trainer http://www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com/
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