6 Things You Ought To Know Before Dieting

Surf the net and you will surely find gazillions of ways to diet - from plans that disallow eating after 7pm to programs that only permit the drinking fruit juices for 10 days. Despite the overwhelming number of ways to lose weight, a lot of people are still struggling with their fight against the bulge. In fact, figures show that over 58 million adult Americans are overweight and about 40 million are obese.

One of the reasons why many diets fail is that not all people are prepared and equipped to handle dieting. Simply buying a book about your diet choice or downloading diet recipes from the Internet is not sufficient to ensure that your weight-loss goals will be achieved. So, here are some diet tips you need to know before starting any weight-loss program.

Know Your Goal

Simply waking up one day and realizing that you need to shed off those excess pounds is a good start but it is not enough. First, you need to set a goal. Will you be happy with losing two pounds? Or do you plan to really slash off 30 pounds from your weight? If you do not know how much you want to lose, you are like a marathon runner who is lost and does not know his or her destination.

No To Fast Fixes

You did not gain 15 pounds overnight so it would also be impossible for you to lose that flab in a flash. Diet fads may really make you 10 or more pounds lighter in a week, but there is a big chance that you will regain those pounds again (plus some more) once you return to your old ways. If a diet program promises you to lose a lot in a very short period of time, do not put your trust in it instantly. Consider whether it promotes a healthy lifestyle or it is just one of those starve-yourself-to-death diets.

Opt For Healthy Changes

Your thighs became thicker and your waist bigger probably because of years of unhealthy eating habits. If you want to lose weight, you ought to be prepared to change your food preferences. Instead of eating fried chicken morning till night, why don't you try getting salad and increasing your fruit intake? Instead of reaching out for a bag of fries, why don't you munch on corn on a cob instead? Little changes such as these will have a dramatic impact not only on your weight, but your general health as well.

Find A Diet Peer

Some people succeed doing things alone. However, most people are more effective in a team. If you have been unsuccessful with dieting all by yourself, you should start looking for a peer you can diet and lose weight with. Your diet buddy will help encourage you to stay on track. Furthermore, the two of you can share tips, experiences, and other things that can help improve your approach to dieting.

Do Some Exercise

Dieting is important in shedding off pounds. However, if you do not exercise, your arms, legs and other parts will be flabby. In order for your weight loss to be complete and healthy, you need to do some aerobic exercises and a little weight training. You really do not have to look muscular, all you need is to tone and tighten your butt, abs, upper arms and thighs.

Don't Ever Give Up

If you want to be healthy and fit, you need to keep on going and maintain your healthy lifestyle. Dieting can be hard and you will surely find a few obstacles on your way to achieving your goal. However, just keep on going because once you stop, all the sacrifice and efforts you exerted will just be put to waste.

To help you with your objective of becoming thinner and healthier, you can count on exercise and right diet. One product that can help initiate your weight loss is Phenocal, which helps suppress appetite and boost metabolism. If you want to know more about this product, just visit http://www.phenocal.com/.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com

Fat Loss Diets - Why Most Diets Fail To Lose Your Fat

Many diets can result in weight loss but whether that is good weight loss is another matter all together. A good diet is one which will help you to lose fat but sadly a large number do no such thing.

Different diets result in the loss of weight but very few actually get rid of fat. Numerous diets seem to work in the initial stages but then seem to stop all together and there is a good reason for this.

Basically all these diets help you to lose is fluid, they have no benefit when it comes to losing fat which if where honest is what we all really want to get rid off.

Another negative of the many low calorie diets available is that they cause your body to falsely assume you are starving yourself. This makes your metabolism store fat instead of getting rid of it and instead burn muscle. It also makes the metabolism work at a slower rate.

The metabolism working at a slower rate means you will burn your calories at a far lower rate result in very little weight loss - unless you really are starving yourself.

Fat loss diets are, in general, the weight loss programs which bring in results slowly over time rather than quickly so it tends to be a choice of either fast weight loss which doesn't get rid of fat or doing it steadily over time.

The only diet that provides relatively fast weight loss and gets rid of fat is one based around the idea of shifting calories but other than that you will after decide which is more important to you - Fast weight loss or getting rid of fat.

Calorie shifting is the only diet that currently results in fast fat loss and you can find out more about it at http://shiftingcalories.blogspot.com

Katie Turner lost 34 lbs after having her twins and you could too. To find out more click here.

Facts on Lemons and Weight Loss

Many people ask questions like, "How do lemons and weight loss go together?" and "Can lemons make me lose weight?" Let's examine what that sour little citrus friend of ours can and cannot do in our battle of the bulge.

Lemons are well-known for containing a lot of Vitamin C. In addition to that, lemons also contain citric acid, which is what gives them the sour taste.

Apart from the lemon juice, there are also the pulp and rind that make up the rest of the lemon.

Not much there that could help one lose weight, one would think? Well, think again.

To lose weight effectively you have to keep your body well hydrated, meaning it is important to drink a few liters of water per day. The water itself does not make you lose weight, but it helps the body perform well and clean itself of waste and toxin.

Drinking lot of water can be rather monotonous. Some people also just do not like the taste of water.

Instead of substituting water with some other liquid, add some lemon juice to the water. That will change the taste and help you drink a little more water.

Lemons are also used in food preparations.

Lemon juice is typically squeezed onto fish dishes to neutralize the taste of amines in the fish.

Fish makes an excellent meal in anyone's weight loss diet. It's generally low in fat and very nutritious.

Hence, lemons help us make a very healthy food even better and more tasty, helping us to eat it more regularly.

Now, for weight loss we're not talking battered fish! We're talking about "the fish" cooked and served with minimal dressing.

Lemon juice also adds that little extra taste and zest to the best of salads. Once again, it helps us wanting to eat more healthy and low-fat food.

Even though our lemon friend does not contain magical powers to help us lose weight, it plays a very important role in enhancing the taste of many of the foods that help us shed those pounds.

Tisha Diaz recommends this fat loss and weight control program that will help you get rid of those excess pounds and make you slim and trim.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots - The Perfect Exercise Routine Exploited

Everyone sometimes needs a little bit of a change. Whether it is a new job, car, or wardrobe there is always something that everyone wants to change about themselves. Well it should be no surprise to you that when you work out you have to change them out because if you don't then you will be getting nothing out of it. So it is always good to make sure that you change your workout every week.

So that is why now I have three new exercises that I like to do at the gym rowing, abs, and the stairs.

The first exercise that I like to do when I am at the gym is rowing because this is a great cardiovascular exercise to get your blood flow in. You first go to the rowing machine than lean over and get the bar then bend your legs and pull on the bar to towards you chest.

This will really get your blood circulating throughout your body and you should have no problem with breathing. Also this machine is great because while you are pulling you will be feeling the breeze from the fan that is in the machine and it feels so good.

Another exercise that I like to do when I go to the gym is abs because there are a bunch of great exercises that you can use to work out your abs. I like the one when you put the weight on then sit in the chair and put your arms on a bar and move your body down towards the ground.

Also the machine when you sit down put your hands on these to bars and then swing your feet from side to side working out you abs that you have on the sides. Working out your abs will make people be like wow you look like you lost so much weight.

One more exercise that I like to do when I go to the gym is the stairs because it work out your lower body so good. It works out pretty much all of the muscles that you have in your legs like the calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, and your butt.

So those are the new exercises that I like to do throughout the week. Also remember that it is always good to change and don't shy away from it because if you do you will never get what you dream of.

If you would like some more information on this subject, you should check out my Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review.

If you would like to know what this Fat Loss 4 Idiots Diet is, it has said to be a diet plan specialized to help people lose 9 lbs in 11 days.

Weight Loss - In a Natural Way

There are many rapid weight loss programs which guarantee weight loss in a natural way.The weight loss program is no way natural if it promises you fast weight loss. Lets have a look in which way we should lose weight if we want to do it in a natural way. As gaining weight is a slow process so weight loss is also a gradual process.

Never opt for a crash diet weight loss program it is true that you will lose weight but you will gain all your weight back whenever you will take a break. Not all weight loss programs are suitable for an individual. It differs from person to person which weight loss program will suit him. If you want to lose weight in a natural way do not try to lose more than three pounds in a week. Always try to set realistic weight loss goals before you. Try to monitor your weight regularly even one pound is a great achievement.

For losing weight you need have lot of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Fruit and vegetables give you lots of vitamins and minerals which help in natural weight loss. Try to eat your vegetables raw it will preserve vitamins as cooking looses half the vitamins. Whenever you cook avoid frying and prefer boiling steaming and grilling.

The most important natural product which you need to drink for a natural weight loss program is water. Water helps in losing extra weight by flushing out toxins and by increasing tone and contraction of your muscles during exercise. Water should be your best friend if you want to lose weight.

Weight loss program should not be followed for a short period of time but it should be part of your life.Always try to find your weight loss partner he will motivate you in difficult times.

Jitesh Arora.Click here to know more about Weight Loss and Exercise.

Binge Eating - Practicing Control For Weight Loss

There are a number of very dangerous eating disorders that effect people of all ages, races, sexes, and economic statuses. While you may hear a lot in the news about anorexia and bulimia, one of the lesser-known weight loss disasters sweeping the nation is binge eating. Binge eating is very bad for your body and can cause heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other medical conditions, which actually could result in death. Therefore, it is important to learn about binge eating and to seek help immediately if you think this could be a problem for you.

Binge eating is basically a form of overeating at its worst. There are times when we all overindulge in good foods, such as at a holiday or when eating out at a restaurant. However, a binge eater faces overeating problems more than a few times a week. Binge eaters often find themselves overweight and unhappy, which can make the situation worse.

Binge eaters will overeat to the extent that they feel sick. In many cases, they will eat thousands of calories in one sitting, and many of the foods they are eating are not very nutritional and include comfort foods. Binge eaters may enjoy sweet or savory foods, and may also have a problem with alcohol. In one day, a binge eater may eat more than the normal person will eat in a week. Foods that a person will binge eat vary and can even change for a particular binge eater from day to day.

Unlike people who are suffering from bulimia, binge eaters will not induce vomiting in order to rid themselves of the food they've eaten. Therefore, binge eaters tend to be overweight. In some cases, a binge eater may eat non-stop for an entire day, but then spend the next three or four days starving him- or herself and exercising vigorously in order to stay at the same weight if possible.

Binge eating goes hand in hand with a number of other physical diseases, but it can also effect a personal mentally and emotionally. Man binge eaters star because they turn to food for comfort as a way to work out their problems, which is unhealthy. Binge eaters are also usually very emotionally charged about their body weight and may experience depression because of it, regardless of if they are overweight or not. Binge eating is not only dangerous for the binge eater, but can affect everyone in his or her life. If you or someone you know is suffering from this disease, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. This is not a good way to lose weight.

For More Information On Healthy Dieting and Stopping Eating Disorders Once and For All Visit Our Website Guides To Greater Living: Dieting and Exercise

Weight Loss with Slim Fast

Slim fast has been around for several years and now has a new look. They have added food items to there product list. They now have snack bars to help you make it through the day. Probably the most significant thing they are marketing is a new dieting concept

Slim fast is moving from a diet plan that was primarily to help lose a few vanity pounds. They have introduced an aggressive diet plan to help those who need to lose more than a few vanity pound. After reviewing there revised diet plan, I like the new plan much better. I have been fairly active all my life and the thought of going though a half a day on a souped up milk shake didn't set to well with me. Their new dieting philosophy appears to recognize that problem. The slim fast shake is not a stand alone meal any more although they call their shake a meal on the run. They also seem to be suggesting several small meals during the day. This several small meals concept has been around for quite some time and has gained acceptance with some dietitians. In between their low calorie meals they recommend snacking on the specially formulated snack bars to suppress any hunger.

Their shake mixes and snack bars are formulated to provide many necessary nutrients and vitamins. I was encouraged to see their recommended food suggestion to be eaten along with the shake. Slim Fast has available suggested diet plans that take into consideration your height, weight and the number of pounds that need to be shed. There is also a planning and tracking system to plan out your meals and record what you have done.

If you are dieting or plan to diet, Slim Fast has a system that could be a big benefit. This is no longer a crash diet as I once thought Slim Fast was. Slim Fast has stood the test of time and it looks as though they are expanding. The test of time means they are still getting results. They have a interesting and very informative website. Check it out at www.slim-fast.com

When dieting or considering a diet, pay close attention to the amount of dietary fiber available. Select those foods that are high in dietary fiber. Green vegetables and grains are a good source as they contain varying amounts of dietary fiber.

Dieting with Slim Fast has improved. They are also suggesting that you alter your life style to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. They have a good plan.

For more interesting articles on dieting and weight loss visit: Weight Loss Tips Site

Super Fast Weight Loss Tips

Warning! Even though super fast weight loss is possible, it is neither healthy nor a long-term solution to your weight problem. Many sites on the Internet claim that significant weight loss can be achieved in days; but, these are generally sites endorsing the top ten fad diets.

For the most part, sites endorsing the top ten fad diets make outrageous claims about super fast weight loss. That type of weight loss usually consists of 90% water and is strictly temporary weight loss because you will regain that weight as soon as your body returns to its normal hydration level. It's important to understand the two primary reasons your body requires lots of water:

<1> Your body cells need to be hydrated in order to replenish and multiply properly.

<2> Water helps to eliminate both waste and toxins from your body.

Some of the top ten fad diets are hyped-up diet plans that stay in vogue as long as they generate money for the marketers who are hyping the plans. In some cases, these plans are nutritionally acceptable and, if followed correctly, actually result in weight loss. However, many times they prove difficult to follow and people give up after a short period of time (ever tried the cabbage soup diet?). Furthermore, your doctor can probably recommend (for free) a similar diet tailored to your situation.

Be aware of the following symptoms of fad diets:

<1> Diets that promise quick and easy weight loss do not give the benefits that you would get from a balanced diet because they are usually based on eating more of one food type and none of another. These diets may suggest you take supplements but many supplements are not absorbed by the body unless they are taken along with the foods that are not included in the diet. If you stick to the fad diet for several weeks, you may begin to develop nutritional deficiencies.

<2> Fad diets are often restrictive and boring. After the novelty of the first day or two, the meals are not enjoyable. It will not be long before you start to crave food constantly and break the diet. You might even start feeling guilty, blaming yourself for not losing weight on your new fad diet.

<3> Most fad diets do not take into consideration recommendations of the American Heart Association regarding fat levels in the diet. Fad diets will often recommend consuming high fat foods and reducing carbohydrates. Over a period of time, this type of fad diet could result in heart disease. People marketing these fad diets may tell you that they are only intended to be followed for a short time. But, if you don't lose weight in that short period of time, what are your options? You either continue following an unhealthy plan or stop following the plan and gain back the weight you lost.

<4> Many fad diets do not incorporate enough servings of fruits and vegetables in the weight loss program. And many do not recommend the variety of foods that your body needs.

<5> Super fast weight loss diets are just temporary solutions and do not help you to permanently change your eating habits. The only way to remain at your target weight once you reach it is through permanent change. Following fad diets results in yo-yo diet-binge cycles of fast weight loss and equally fast weight gain. Both your health and your self esteem will be better if you simply remain overweight all the time instead of following one of the top ten fad diets.

Watch out for the marketers! Fad diets will not help you in the long run. The absolute best way to lose weight and keep it off is to find and follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, ..... and avoid fad diets.

Many of us are intrigued by super fast weight loss. But, we realize that a disciplined and consistent effort on our part is required. And, we appreciate the fact that following one of the top ten fad diets dooms us to failure. Take a look at a reasonable plan to LOSE 9 POUNDS IN 11 DAYS at http://www.how2no.com.

Fast Weight Loss Plan

Waters Importance For Weight Loss

Unfortunately one of the main reasons people struggle with weight loss and dieting is the lack of water they drink on a daily basis.

Water is the central foundation to every health and fitness goal. You probably know that without water living would be impossible but why is it so important for losing weight?

Not drinking enough water could be the reason you are not losing weight.

Water is the most valuable substance you consume and has a wide variety of essential functions that are the source of life. Let's take a look at a few of the functions water performs in your body and the reasons why it is so important to drink enough water.

Water makes up 60-70% of your body.
It assists in digestion, absorption and assimilation which gives you the complete vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the foods you eat
Water helps with the excretion of waste from the bowels and kidneys. It will help you to avoid constipation and will relieve stress on your kidneys.
Controlling your body temperature and keeping your body regulating in different situations and actions is another task water performs in your body
Reduced head aches and stomach bloating are a result of increased water intake
Water also makes up 92% of your blood that helps with nutrient distribution.
Proper hydration will help keep your skin smoother and healthier
It also Lubricates and heals the joints and muscles.

These are just a few of the important things water accomplishes in your system.

But why is water so important for weight loss?

Many people search for appetite suppressants to curve their hunger when the best way to feel fuller is to drink more water. Your brain treats hunger and thirst the same so when you think you are hungry, your brain could actually be signaling you that you are thirsty. People who do not consume enough water throughout the day usually develop hunger pains more than those who drink enough water. Drinking cold water is the best choice. It not only quenches your thirst but can actually boost your metabolism as the water has to be warmed up, burning calories.

Another thing that you should know is that drinking water consistently throughout the day will keep you from over eating, having cravings for sweets and can accelerate your energy levels the natural way. There are many other benefits as well; these are just a few select ones.

Try it! When you feel hungry drink a big glass of water and wait five minutes to see if you are still hungry. Try always having a bottle of water with you, taking sips every so often and see the affects it has on your appetite. You could also try drinking a large glass of water before eating breakfast to accelerate your metabolism, preparing your body to be a fat burning machine the rest of the day.

Are you drinking enough during the day to keep yourself hydrated?

The average person needs about 6-8 large glasses of water every day. You must also take in to consideration how much you sweat, your caffeine consumption, and amount of daily exercise as these are indicators that you will need to increase your water intake.

If you are not a huge fan of water, eating fruit with high water content is another great way to increase your water consumption without drinking plain water. Fruit with high water content will also fill up your stomach with fewer calories and tons of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients for a healthy body. There are other foods that have a high content of water and most can be easily recognized like some fruits and vegetables but certain diets may limit foods with high water content. In this case you will simply have to drink more water.

Diuretics like coffee, pop, and caffeinated drinks cause the body to lose water and dehydrate the body. By cutting back on these drinks, you will decrease the amount of water you need to consume and your body's absorption of vitamins and minerals will be greater.

Try to always have a bottle of water with you to take sips every so often and see the affects it has on your appetite.

How do you know whether or not you are consuming enough water?

There are several easily noticeable warning signs that your body is not getting enough water and is becoming dehydrated.

Headaches. Headaches are the most common symptom of dehydration. Water flushes out all the toxins in your body and makes up 75% up your brain. No wonder a lack of water causes a headache!
Lack of concentration and fatigue. With a built up amount of toxins in your body due to a lack of water, you will see a drop in your energy level as your body is concentration on dealing with the unwanted toxins in your body.
Constipation. Water in your body will be directed to more vital functions resulting in painful and harder stools from the lack of water.
Reduced urine output or dark urine. 200 liters of water is passed through your kidney's every day so a lack of water will limit your kidney's filtering ability, resulting in darker urine.
Dry mouth and bad breath. When not enough water is frequently passing through your mouth to rinse away the food particles, bacteria can create dry mouth syndrome and bad breath over time.
Skin. Water keeps your skin looking and feeling clear and smooth so if your skin develops dry spots, coloring, and roughness, it could be an indication of you is dehydrating your body.

Final thoughts

If you are serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. Nothing is more important to your health than drinking enough water, so give it a shot and start drinking more to help you achieve weight loss the natural way and put you on the right tract to a healthier lifestyle.

Have a great day and God bless!

Jared Wash is an author with certifications by ACSM, NESTA, and ISSA in personal trainer, nutritionist, and online fitness coaching for weight loss. His mission with top weight loss site is to guide people away from false lies and myths in the fitness industry while focusing on true health and weight loss cardio workout methods.

How To Lose Your Love Handles Fast With 3 Easy Tips On Cardio, Abs And Food That Carves Your Abs

You may be spending a lot of time researching on how to lose your love handles fast. You can spend many hours in the gym, workout so hard and you can look so good in your t-shirts. But off the shirt, the final verdict that decides whether all your time has been well-spent in the gym is when you start revealing whats underneath the shirt. People judge your results not by the arms, the legs but it is the abs. That six pack abs that makes people who has it look like they are in an exclusive club.

But when we say abs, it is not just any six pack abs but abs that are so deep in separation that it totally defines you. But in order to achieve these results, you will have to know all about the best training tips that join the six pack abs club.

One of the best ways to get rid of fats will be to do interval training. Interval training melts fats faster in faster times than just jogging at a constant pace long distance. So reduce the time you spent on the treadmill and start incorporating sprint trainings.

Tip 1: For your cardio training, start at a brisk walking speed for about 3 minutes. Then start a 30 second sprint. Rest for 1.5 minutes and repeat the process again.

In order to get maximum results via this training methods, apply this method 4 times per week and each session should be able 20 minutes.

Tip 2: Abs Training Portion: Use these 4 exercises to build deep definition abs (each exercise will be 3 sets with 20 repetitions):

- Hanging leg lifts
- Seated leg lifts
- Swiss ball crunches
- Oblique twists with a medicine ball

Tip 3: Food Portion: Reduce Fats With Carbs
Your biggest muscle fuel will be carbohydrates as they can keep your muscles full and workouts intense. But most important thing you have to know is to avoid 'white' carbohydrates. If possible, find substitutes for your food.

Instead of white bread, take wholemeal bread. All these have less sugar and high fiber content should it will definitely works for you. If you got to have potatoes, why not replace it with yam. Remember to find replacements.

Hopefully, these 3 tips will be sufficient for your workouts to start reducing weight. So start introducing cardio training to your training program, do the abs training either in the morning or at night, and finally avoid your "white" carbo.

Set a resolution to make Year 2008 to lose those belly fats, find how to lose your love handles fast and challenge yourself to lose weight in our 60 days challenge. Let's all set our sights on throwing those oversize clothing away.

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Hypnosis For Weight Loss - Can It Really Work For You?

Hypnosis can work for you to lose weight. I'll tell you more about it in this article.

Many people don't believe that you can lose weight with hypnosis because the mass media distorts their view of this success medical practice.

You watch television or maybe attend a local gathering and they have a stage hypnotist guaranteed to get the audience laughing when you see that guy acting goofy. A snap of the fingers and he doesn't even remember a thing! This is pretty much timeless comedy, don't you agree?

So when someone tells you that you can lose weight through hypnosis (or hypnotherapy as the medical establishment prefers to call it) then it sounds like some kind of joke.

But I tell you it isn't. Let us first understand how weight loss works then we can understand how hypnotherapy can help us.

You see, weight loss is really an addiction. "But surely you need food, so how can you be addicted to food?" - you might say. I agree with you, but weight loss is not an addiction to food. It is an addiction to excess food. And when you try to give up that excess food, it is just like giving up smoking.

That excess food is your daily comfort. It's what keeps you happy and away from the stresses of life. But deep down, you know that excess food is making you feel unwell and slowly killing you. Deep down, you know that you need to stop eating that excess food - in fact, you are not even feeling hungry when you eat that excess food so you know that your body doesn't need it but you just "can't help it".

Well, a hypnotherapist can help you. I'm not saying that they are a miracle cure but they are one of many weapons that you should have in your locker to fight being overweight. A good hypnotherapist will help you apply logic to the situation and not just resist excess food, but hopefully you won't even want to eat the excess food anymore.

Fed up of being fat? Hate the look of yourself in the mirror? You can lose weight if you know how - find out more about hypnosis for weight loss and all the other techniques you need by registering for your free 52 Part Weight Loss e-course at http://www.52weightlosstips.com and look forward to a future, healthier, newer you.

Exercise Schedule For Weight Loss

With reduction of calories we have achieved one portion of the plan and with exercise we will achieve the other. Remember, we have to under take exercise with a dual objective in mind.

Burning the excess fat already stored in the body (a kilo of excess weight represents around 7,000 calories).

Stopping further accumulation of fat.

Typically, exercise and diet schedules should advance gradually. The schedule should be customized according to the lifestyle of the person. My personal observation is that clients and consultants are over-enthusiastic in the beginning but the enthusiasm fades with the time.

The prime reason for this is that the exercise schedules often fail to match the lifestyle of a person or are too stringent to follow in real life. A health consultant should draft an exercise schedule accordingly. I personally feel that walking is one of the best and most natural ways of losing weight. I have had great success with it. In fact, because of regular walking (I walk around 20 km per week) I have been able to maintain the same weight levels for the past 15 years.

To start with, live an active lifestyle wherein you exercise a minimum of 30 minutes (15 minutes of vigorous exercise and 15 minutes of low or moderate exercise) per day.

In my programme, we gradually increase the duration of exercise to a minimum of 45 minutes per day (30 minutes rigorous and 15 minutes low or moderate exercise).

The key here is consistency. Often, I have observed that people tend to complete their schedules on the weekends, which is not right for the basic reason that the body is overloaded on the weekends and totally free during the week.

When I say 'exercise', I do not mean pumping iron (of course, you can also do weight training) every time. What I mean is making your body move - and this can be done by walking, climbing stairs, household work, etc. There is no dearth of activities that we can enjoy and simultaneously lose weight. It's just a matter of commitment and resolve.

Once we have achieve that ideal weight, the next step is maintaining it, which is little difficult than the first part. This is the phase during we say, 'Now that I have lost that excess baggage, indulge in all those tempting foods and bad lifestyle . But before you do that just close your eyes and think all the good things you can do now and all the difficultive faced when you had that excess weight - I am sure you will get your answer.

Always find a person can be your mentor and to whom you can be accoudle. This will help you in not regaining that weight your good and healthy habits on the backburner. Regularly check your weight and be calorie conscious.

The third important point our weight-loss programme is managing hunger. This ilised on eating balanced meals in which most of the calorie come from foods with high volume and low energy . For example, if we compare raisins (dried grapes) with grapes, we will find that after eating one-fourth , one would probably continue eating; but it would be difficult to consume more than 3/4 - 1 cup of grapesh servings have 110 calories each, but the fresh grapesfull of water. Water is a key ingredient in managing hat, but not the water you drink with the meal. Studies shomat it fills up the stomach but doesn't influence satiety. But the natural water in fruits and vegetables or in broth-based soups makes one feel full, that is, satiated.

Very low energy density Most fruits and vegetables, skimmed milk, and broth soups. Eat as much as you like.

Medium energy density: Includes meats; cheeses; fried food; salad dressings. Eat in moderation.

High energy density: Includes chips; chocolates; candies, cookies; nuts; butter and full-fat milk. Try to eat as less as possible.

One important tip for hunger management is to have a broth-based soup or a big, low-calorie density salad at the beginning of the meal.

You can have all those tempting foods but on your terms. 'Fhe day you have more calories you ought to slog more to burn them! Remember, at the end of the day it's you who has to decide how you wish to live. Whether you want to be a slave to your temptations or master them is up to you. Follow the Safe-n-Sure Weight Loss Programme honestly and I assure you that your weight will never be a problem ever again, making life all the more lighter and pleasant.

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Water For Weight Loss

Eating the right foods is integral to losing fat, but many overlook the reality that what you drink plays an important role as well. We all have preferences when it comes to drinks. Some prefer alcohol, some detest water, and some believe that the only thing that keeps them going is cup after cup of coffee. However, there are consequences, both good and bad, depending on what you typically drink. Lets start with the most important drink, water. As early as 2003, reports were beginning to surface about how water actually elevates the metabolic rate, therefore aiding in weight loss. This study conducted at Berlins Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center studied the caloric intake and energy expenditures of seven men and seven women who were not overweight. After the test subjects each drank a little over 2 glasses of water, their metabolic rates increased by as much as 30% for both men and women. The increases occurred within 10 minutes of ingestion and reached a maximum after about 30 to 40 minutes. Researchers found that if a person increases their water intake by 1.5 liters a day without altering anything else, they would still burn an extra 17,400 calories by the end of the year. That is unbelievable. Furthermore, its also well known that water is satiating in that it helps curb hunger pangs, therefore preventing you from overeating. Obviously, water is vital for survival, but now we know that it helps to burn more calories giving us another reason as to why its necessary for fat loss.

Dairy and Weight Loss

Another study came out in 2003 that may be difficult to imagine being true, but research has arrived at the conclusion that low-fat dairy products are a wonderful means in aiding with fat loss. According to the American Society for Nutritional Sciences Journal of Nutrition, women who consumed milk, yogurt, and cheese three to four times a day lost 70% more body fat than women who didnt eat dairy. Supposedly, the reason is that calcium actually helps to boost the metabolic rate. Oddly enough, other foods fortified with calcium wont have the same weight loss effect as the dairy products. Women reap the largest benefit when they consume three servings of dairy a day and 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day. So, make sure you pick up some milk, but keep it low in fat for the best results.

Drinking Alcohol

Lastly, I believe it goes without saying that alcohol needs to be used in moderation and, in my opinion, not at all if fat loss is truly your goal. First off, alcohol actually hinders the mobilization of fat and since the fat cant be utilized to produce energy, glucose (carbohydrates) is then used to provide energy for the body. In turn, the elevated glucose levels lead to a rush of insulin to the blood in order to cart away the glucose to the brain, muscles, and elsewhere. However, insulin doesnt know when to stop with the carting away of the glucose and ends up lowering your blood sugar in the process so that you feel sluggish and weak. Imagine yourself crashing after a sugar high. Consequently, the appetite is triggered and more, unnecessary calories are consumed. To make a long story short, alcohol completely disrupts your metabolism and can even noticeably slow it down up to nearly two days following the alcohol ingestion. Be smart about what you drink. If you choose right, you might just find a body under there thats worth keeping forever.

Ian Robertson has interests that range anywhere between playing drums to kayaking and kickboxing. Ian is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Advanced Weight Training Specialist, as well as a Certified Nutritionist. He emphasizes functional and innovative training techniques to add variety and interest to his shockingly effective workouts.

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New Weight Loss Drug Makes Progress

One year ago millions of obese Americans were waiting to hear whether or not the Food and Drugs Agency would give approval to the diet drug rimonabant (Acomplia). Obviously there was huge disappointment when this approval was not given. Rimonabant never actually made it to the American market although it is thought that the patent holder will return for another bite of the cherry at a later date, armed with deeper clinical trial data.

There is, therefore, a great deal if excitement over Merck's new diet drug taranabant. The results from the second phase of testing were encouraging and now after another two years of testing it seems that the results for phase three may be equally exciting, though the final report is yet to be published.

Researchers announced that study participants taking varying doses of taranabant lost 8 to 14 pounds over a 12-week period. There was one question, however, which still remains unanswered. Does taranabant have less significant side effects than rimonabant? Both drugs work in a similar way, by targeting particular receptors in the brain. Acomplia, however, was not approved by the FDA after concerns were raised over its psychiatric side effects which may include depression and suicidal thoughts in patients prone to mental health problems. So how does taranabant compare? Initial feedback seems to suggest that between one-fifth and one-third of patients had experienced adverse side effects which included depressed mood, irritability, anger, mood swings and insomnia. Unlike rimonabant, however, patients reported no suicidal thoughts though it was conceded that the question had not been asked in a systematic way.

There will, of course, have to be more conclusive evidence provided before the FDA grants approval to the new drug. The company expects the phase III report to be published later this year and for taranabant to be submitted for FDA approval before the end of 2008. Taranabant will also be submitted to the European Medicines Agency although it is believed that Merck wants to get it approved in the US first.

Taranabant is a CB1 receptor reverse agonist which is slightly different form Acomplia, which is a CB1 receptor antagonist. Although they are both targeting the endocannabinoid system, the slightly different way in which they work could be crucial. Acomplia was approved for use in the UK in June 2006 and since then it has helped a number of people to lose weight but many have been disappointed by the lack of progress and ceased treatment after one or two months. Many also found the cost of this medication on private prescription to be prohibitive. The unfortunate thing is that all new weight loss drugs seem to get hyped up by the media and this ultimately leads to disappointment as the results, for most people, rarely match the hype. It cannot be emphasised enough that weight loss medications should only ever be used as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Obesity is a burgeoning problem in gthe West and medications that get regulatory approval do work but there has to be some effort on the part of the patient.