Monday, June 22, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
Weight Gain Shouldn't Be Part of Your Retirement Plans
Health and fitness are growing concerns for all of us today. We are constantly trying to unearth new solutions to existing health problems. Also the newest, weight loss method or diet is sure to capture the interest of the masses. No one likes to be called "obese" or "overweight". These terms are unwelcome, and they are associated with an unhealthy body. Obesity unmanageable weight increase can strike you at any point of time-even in old age. It might sound surprising, but it is a fact. Research has proved that we tend to gain weight as we age. There are many reasons for this-physical, mental, biological and many other radical changes that combine together to leave us weighing a few pounds more. Such weight increase can occur gradually, yet steadily if not checked. Our body experiences many changes as we begin to age -- after the 40s. Slowly, our muscle mass and strength decreases, at approximately the rate of one-third or one-half of a pound each year. Worse is the fact that the space is attacked and occupied by that undesirable compound called "fat". One of the main reasons why we tend to gain weight as we age is that our body's infrastructure consisting of bones, muscles, and joints shows signs of weakness and begins to give way. This in turn results in lower metabolic activity whereby we fail to burn up those extra calories and fat. Hence, we gain weight. Not only that, decreased metabolism leads to lower energy levels and we experience signs of old age like leathargy, tenderness, weakness, lack of enthusiasm for strenuous labor, a decrease in mobility, etc. Imagine yourself not able to complete even your daily tasks like bathing, cooking, etc; and having to depend upon others. All this and more because of gaining a few pounds! Weight gain hastens the aging process. Are there ways avoid this entire struggle? Yes, but success depends on your attitude. Following are some tactics you might want to try. ¢ Be conscientious about your diet-whatever you eat should strengthen your system. It is always good to have a balanced diet consisting of rich sources of minerals, calcium, vitamins, etc. as they are needed to protect your system form breakdown. Remember that your body's insulin resistance contributes in a big way to weight gain. ¢ Healthy lifestyle is a must to combat weight gain. Cardiovascular and aerobic exercises are helpful in reducing excess weight. Include as much physical activities as you can in your daily routine so that your muscles do not waste away from under use. Some simple alterations in your activities can boost your energy level and self-confidence too. For example, try to walk or take public transportation instead of driving; try to avoid using remote controls for your entertainment devices; try to do some household chores like cooking, gardening, shopping for grocery, etc. as opposed to farming these tasks out to others. ¢ A sound mind makes it much easier to keep a sound body. Have a positive outlook on life and things will definitely brighten up for you. Also, try to attend a strengthening program where you can have your muscles regain their lost strength and firmness. Research has proved that those who attend such programs find themselves rejuvenated and stronger than young people in their 20s. ¢ Always have a hobby or a pastime so that you are not idle and amass unwanted fat, while failing to use your muscles.
Monday, June 22, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
Exercising at Home with Videos These days, there are a lot of people purchasing exercise videos and to say the least; there are plenty to choose from. But the question is, are there really any advantages to using exercise videos? Well, in a word, yes, there are actually a lot of advantages to using exercise videos. Let’s discuss some of those advantages.
For one thing, exercise videos are made for home workouts. Home workouts offer a lot of advantages over going to the gym. You can exercise any time during the day and there will be no time when you will have to worry about dealing with crowds. There will be no waiting for equipment. You do not have to be on time for a scheduled class. You can wear any cloths you want. You only have to buy each video one time but you can use them as much as you want while the gym has ongoing fees to pay. You also do not have the extra time spent driving to and from the gym.
Exercise videos come with a very wide selection of different kinds of workouts. There are videos for aerobic workouts, strength workouts, circuit workouts that combine the previous two, yoga, stretching, and even mental exercise like meditation. They can be found in a variety of different styles like dance aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing, Pilates, and jump rope just to name a few.
You can get ones that are very easy if you are just starting out, or ones that are much more difficult as you become more advanced. You can even buy videos that are geared for specific purposes such as workouts for seniors, for children, for pregnant women, and for those with back pain.
You can get exercise videos that do not require the use of equipment, as well as ones that use such items as stability balls, rubber tubing, aerobic steps, free weights, mini- trampolines, and body bars and even home gym multi-stations. Whatever equipment you have, there will be a video you can buy to show you a routine that uses it.
These exercise videos as well as any of the equipment that may be used in them can easily be bought online as well as in any number of department stores and fitness equipment catalogs making it practically effortless to get them.
Exercise videos are a very good tool to help you get the most out of your home workouts. They give you structured routines to follow as well as giving you a variety of types and intensity levels of exercise that you can do.
The most important thing to remember however is this, simply popping an exercise video into the VCR, then sitting back on the sofa and watching it with your feet up will do nothing for your waistline. Getting up and following along on the other hand will get you on your way to the results you want to achieve.
Sunday, June 21, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
The fundamental facts of Weight Loss Surgery Individuals, who have faced obesity since long and have tried many medications, but in vain, are now losing sleep. Weight loss surgery is an optimal solution for those who want to lose weight in a snapshot.
Weight loss surgery is ideal for those who want to lose excessive weight. It is not meant for those who are just slightly overweight or mildly obese. Before embarking upon a weight loss surgery, get familiar with various surgical options. A gamut of weight loss surgeries is available to help you in your weight loss pursuit. Your surgeon can be the best resource in gathering the information about the procedure of the surgery. Do not be reluctant in asking questions regarding your weight. Make sure you clear all your doubts about the weight loss surgery that you have to undergo. In order to go through a weight loss surgery, an informed consent of the patient is mandatory. Informed consent is a legal term which implies that the patient concurs that he had complete information and understanding of the surgical procedure. He is well aware of the pros and cons of it. He can sign the consent form after agreeing on the terms and conditions of the weight loss surgery. Although a weight loss surgery can show marvelous results, but there are some hidden risks and complications involved in it too. Since the surgery does not involve the removal of fat through suction, there may be a possibility of bleeding after the operation. The risk of developing gallstones also increases. One can even acquire nutritional deficiency such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease. Complications can also occur due to anesthesia. In some cases, a weight loss surgery may require reoperation in order to rectify the complications. A successful weight loss surgery is laced with long term changes in the lifestyle. Diet and exercises is the underlying fact of a thriving surgery. Often, people fail to pace with this commitment and tend to face the percussions. Hence, weight loss surgery can lead to threatening health conditions. Moreover, the cost incurred in a weight loss surgery is also not within the reach of every individual. Weight loss surgery is not the only solution to get rid of obesity. The efficacy of diet pills in this endeavor cannot be ignored. Diet pills are showing outstanding results in the weight loss procedure. They are safe to use and materialize with fewer side-effects. The pharmacy industry presents an assortment of diet pills. They are easily available at various pharmacies. One can also buy diet pills online. Like: 1. UniqueHoodia 2. Proactol 3. Zotrim
Sunday, June 21, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
Diet Tips To Lower Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally Are you gaining weight? Does this make you worry about your cholesterol level? Do you feel like you need to do something about your eating habits particularly your cholesterol diet? What is the first thing to consider in a low cholesterol diet? Knowing the purpose of a low cholesterol diet will make you adhere to it more sincerely. Then before indulging in any strict diet, low cholesterol diet included, you have to know why some foods are safe to eat and why some are not. However, a lifestyle change that would include a good cholesterol diet as a first step would work best. The basic of cholesterol lowering diet is the decrease in the total intake of saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol in the body to decrease weight. These types of foods are mainly fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have very high fiber content; this soaks cholesterol like sponge and disposes it out of the body. Apples, oranges and pears are high fiber foods. This includes oats and carrots. Pasta, whole grains and potatoes are samples of complex carbohydrates. If you want to go on a cholesterol diet you should minimize your intake of the day’s total saturated fat calorie by 7% and fat by 25-35 percent. Limit your sodium intake by 2400 milligrams daily. Remember, cholesterol lowering diet and maintaining a daily exercise are major factors in lowering the cholesterol level. Here are some tips on cholesterol diet approaches:
  • Taking fiber-rich foods such as whole grains as your primary source of carbohydrates. This should go hand in hand with an increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables such as berries, oranges, apples, pears, grapes, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, tomatoes, dark leafy greens celery, squash and eggplant among others.
  • Staying away from saturated fats which are mostly found in animal foods such as meat, poultry and dairy products is a good cholesterol diet. Opt for unsaturated fats instead, specifically omega-3 fatty. Good sources of these would be the vegetable and fish oils.
  • Source out protein from soy protein, poultry, and fish instead of meat.
  • Major lifestyle change as a part of cholesterol diet would mean weight control, exercise, and quitting smoking. If you want to dine out and still stick on your cholesterol diet, here are some tips for you to follow so that you will be able to maintain your cholesterol diet.
  • Find out which restaurants have low saturated fat and have a low cholesterol menu.
  • Sharing your dish with your companion or taking some home is advisable, better yet, you can also ask for appetizer-size servings or a side dish.
  • Ask to separate the gravy, butter, rich sauces and dressings. You can control your cholesterol and saturated fat much easier that way.
  • Ask the extras (salad, fries, baked potato) to be left off or substitute them.
  • If you are craving for pizza, order the one that has vegetable toppings (green pepper, onions, and mushrooms) instead of meat or extra cheese. Or to make it easier for you, order it with half of the cheese or no cheese at all.
  • If your dining on a fast-food restaurant, order salads, grilled skinless chicken sandwiches (fried and breaded are a no no), regular-sized hamburgers or roast beef sandwiches. Avoid large burgers, sandwiches and french-fries.
  • Choose the dishes that are cooked on a low cholesterol method (broiled, steamed, au jus, garden fresh, baked, roasted, poached, tomato juice, dry boiled and lightly saturated)
  • Be mindful of dishes that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. (butter sauce, fried, crispy, creamed, au gratin, au fromage, escalloped, parmesan, hollandaise, béarnaise, marinated, stewed, basted, sautéed, casserole and pastry crust)

Take note that if you lose weight, your calorie needs will also be lowered. It will decrease the amount of saturated fat and the fat that you will be able to consume on the cholesterol diet.

If you are having a hard time of making changes with cholesterol lowering diet, consult a nutritionist or dietitian so that you can work up some sample diets.
Friday, June 19, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
Green Tea The Use of Green Tea in Home Remedies There are a plethora of natural home remedies from brown sugar to eliminate heartburn to corn syrup to control nausea that can be used by those who want alternatives to over the counter medications. More than a tasty, hot beverage, green tea is an important part of home remedies from skin and teeth care to general preventative measures and everything in between. For specific examples to ways to use green tea to get excellent benefits read below. Green Tea and Skin Care Positive skin effects in the area of skin care have been found with green tea. Acne and eczema are two specific areas. Green tea is a great, cheap alternative to the expensive toners and astringents used for acne. Green tea is used to make a concoction with other ingredients that can be applied to clean skin with a cotton ball. Some notice a decrease in the presence of acne by simply drinking the tea, even though you should be careful with the increase of the caffeine to your diet since this is linked to an increase in acne breakouts. Olive oil can also be added to green tea to make a treatment for eczema. Homemade Mouthwash Green tea can also be used as part of a homemade mouthwash in addition to skin care. You will have to avoid adding sugar and honey. The presence of fluoride in this light drink helps keep your teeth healthy by preventing tooth decay and strengthening your teeth and gums. The most basic recipe is adding the brewed tea to spring water. Although it can be added to other ingredients if you want to create flavors for your homemade mouthwash. Preventative Medicine Your overall health and well-being is thought to be helped by a daily intake of green tea. Free radical in our body can cause damage to cells and the tea is full of antioxidants that bind free radicals to our bodies. Cancer prevention has been linked to green tea through several studies. Green tea is also thought to promote an increase in metabolism as an essential benefit that helps burn fat and lowers cholesterol in the body. Green tea may also play a part in reducing the intensity of rheumatoid arthritis because of the antioxidants present in the tea. The benefits of green tea are a great reason to drink it whether it is to drink it by and open fire or to get rid of unwanted acne breakouts.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 // by sara // // 1التعليقات
The Negative Calorie Diet - Part II The Thermic Effect of Food & Negative Calories The concept behind the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) and the idea that it is possible to eat Negative Calorie Foods is the fact that eating any food causes your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) to increase because you use energy to eat, digest, and metabolize the food you’ve just eaten. The rise occurs soon after you start eating and peaks two to three hours later. This rise in the BMR can range from between 2-3 per cent, up to 25-30 per cent, depending on the size of the meal and the types of foods eaten. The idea of Negative Calorie Foods is based on the belief that there are certain foods, which use more calories to digest than the amount of calories actually contained in the food! Calories from these foods are much harder for the body to use. In other words, the body has to work hard in order to extract calories from these foods. Even though different foods may contain equal amounts of calories, in Negative Calorie Foods much less of these calories turn into fat, as fewer calories are actually available to the body. This allegedly gives these foods a tremendous natural fat-burning advantage. The Theory of How it Works There are six essential nutrients that the human body requires to keep it nourished and healthy; these include; protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Foods have a macronutrient (carbohydrate, fat, and protein), caloric (calories) and vitamin & mineral content. Vitamins stimulate living tissues to produce enzymes that breakdown the caloric nutrients of that food. It is generally accepted that the various categories of macronutrients that are present in the diet will increase BMR by different amounts as shown below: · Fats - raise the BMR 4 per cent · Carbohydrates - raise BMR 6 per cent · Proteins - raise BMR 30 per cent (It is suggested that hot spicy foods can also have a significant thermic effect: for example foods containing chilli, horseradish and mustard). The overall “Thermic Effect of Food” is considered to utilize roughly 10% of the total calories of food ingested in the “average” diet. However, Negative Calorie Foods are supposed to contain enough vitamins & minerals to produce enzymes in quantities sufficient to break down not only its own calories, but additional calories present in digestion as well. This is the “secret” of The Negative Calorie Foods and the reasoning behind why Negative Calorie Foods may be regarded as “Fat burning Foods” (The Negative Calorie Foods will tend to have maximum benefits when eaten without any “empty calorie foods” i.e. junk foods). There is much disagreement about the negative calorie diet and some experts are unconvinced about the claims made. Some believe the amount of energy used may be relative to the amount and complexity of the meal ingested. In other words the energy used to digest and absorb may be set as a general percentage of the energy contained in each specific food, thus there cannot ever be foods with negative calories. However, some research has proved that celery does cause a negative energy intake but this is mainly because the energy is "sealed" making the digestive system work harder to obtain its energy content. It is unclear therefore as to whether negative calorie foods are fact or fiction. There needs to be more research done in order to prove or disprove the theory. Although it seems reasonable to believe that if negative calorie foods help people consume fewer calories AND eat healthier foods, then including lots of these foods as part of an overall balanced diet, can be a positive start to permanent weight loss!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 // by sara // // 0 التعليقات
The Colon Cleansing Diet – What It Is And How To Use It Of the major types of colon cleansing, the colon cleansing diet is the most simple and, in the long term, probably the most effective. Once you learn what the optimum colon cleansing diet is - what you should and shouldn't eat - you have the basic tools you need to safely and effectively colon cleanse anytime you want. Most people who chose to follow the colon cleansing diet, do it for a period of 7 to 30 days. Other people, myself included, naturally eat a colon cleansing diet and maintain high levels of health and fitness. The longer you can follow the diet the better. There are 3 major aspects to the colon cleansing diet. First and foremost is to get rid of all foods that make it harder for the colon to do its elimination work. These foods include: processed meat, most seafoods, pasteurized dairy products, processed oil, most flour products including breads, and pastas, refined sugar, sodas, alcohol, caffeine and all processed foods with artificial flavorings or other chemicals. The principle here is to lighten the load on the digestive system by removing the foods that slow it down. Second, it's important to add foods that are high in dietary fiber. Fiber is an indigestible substance that comes only from plants. It passes through the acids of the stomach and reaches the intestine and colon where it has a sweeping broom-like effect. In cultures with a high daily fiber intake, digestive difficulties and colon diseases such as colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome are unheard of. Good sources of dietary fiber include flax seeds, pears, berries, some beans and peas. While on the optimum colon cleansing diet, a person should eat 35-50 grams of dietary fiber per day. The third aspect the colon cleansing diet is to eat lots of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Raw fruits and vegetables have enzymes in them which promote digestion. They also contain higher amounts of fiber than their cooked counterparts. A person who is in relatively good health should consume between 60% and 100% raw fruits and vegetables while following the optimum colon cleansing diet. One final dietary change that can greatly improve colon cleansing results is to include some fermented foods like miso, sauerkraut and yogurt during the colon cleansing diet. These foods contain positive bacteria which live in the colon and help protect us from disease. If you choose to colon cleanse using the colon cleansing diet, keep in mind that results come slower than with an herbal colon cleanser. But, they do tend to be longer lasting. That's because following the optimum colon cleansing diet will help you to make important healthy dietary changes. The key is to be disciplined because progress on this type of cleanse can be stopped easily by eating any foods that make digestion more difficult. Mark Ament is an expert on colon cleansing and raw foods nutrition. He is the author of “Homemade Colon Cleansing Made Easy” and 3 other books on natural health. Learn how easy it is to follow the optimum colon cleansing diet, using Mark’s proven colon cleanse recipes at: http://www.safecoloncleanse.com