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4 Weight Loss Diet Tips That Work

With the slow and sedentary lifestyle that is so common in America today, many are fighting the battle of the bulge. Losing weight sounds so simple, but those who have attempted it know there is nothing simple about it. Here are some weight loss diet tips that will help you lose weight and keep...

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Weight Loss And Maintenance – Lessons For Us All

Posted by Weight Loss Guy | Posted in Weight Loss Diet Tips | Posted on 02-06-2010

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We live in a society where being thin is ideal. Images of rail-thin supermodels and waif-like movie stars adorn every billboard and television screen. We idolize people who are the thinnest of the thin-the thinnest five to ten percent of our population. It’s ironic that we’re also a nation of “super-sized” portions. The average portion size at a U.S. restaurant is more than 25% larger than our European counterparts.

Unfortunately, 64% of the American public is overweight and 33% of Americans are obese. Weight loss and maintenance are cornerstones of good health and happy living. Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, depressed mood, and more. For most, weight loss and weight management should be realities of life.

But for many a desire to lose weight or maintain weight loss doesn’t necessarily dictate success. Weight loss and weight maintenance are tough work and successful strategies vary based on how much weight a person needs to lose. Some people can succeed with diet and exercise alone, others need more invasive interventions like surgery. And even for those who are lucky enough to realize their desired weight, maintenance, although more straight-forward, can be even more difficult than the initial weight loss.

Weight loss: diet and exercise

The status of a person’s weight is best determined by their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a calculation derived from dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. For the calculation-averse, a BMI calculator is available on the National Institutes of Health website.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, people with BMI’s between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered normal weight. People with BMI’s between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. Those with BMI’s between 30 and 39.9 are classified as obese. Finally, people with BMI’s greater than 40 are categorized as morbidly obese.

For Americans who are simply overweight, self-control measures are a good place to start. Medical intervention is best reserved for obese individuals or overweight people who have medical problems or have failed self-managed diets on numerous occasions. Although exercise is important in any weight loss or weight maintenance regimen, research shows that diet is the most effective means of weight loss. A successful diet is a diet which is both balanced and calorically-restricted.

What does “calorically-restricted” mean? Everybody has a distinctive Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR is defined as the minimum number of calories needed to maintain life activity at rest. It varies based on age, activity level, genetics and sex (men have higher BMR’s than women). For example, a Mr. Universe body builder has a BMR that may be several times that of a bed-ridden senior citizen. In order to lose weight, a person must consume fewer calories than their BMR or maintain a diet equal to their minimum caloric requirements and burn off enough calories exercising to undercut their BMR.

According to the USDA, a balanced, calorically adequate diet that best approximates the BMR of an average American includes: 6-7 ounces of breads, cereal, rice and grain; 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups from the milk category, and about 6 ounces of meat, fish, nuts, poultry and beans. The USDA has developed resources that help people determine a diet which best approximates their own individual BMR based on their height and weight. These resources can be found at http://www.mypyramid.gov.

All diets must be balanced because despite equivalent calorie counts not all types of food are equal. For example, a calorically-balanced diet high in trans-fats can damage the heart and facilitate the conversion of dietary fat to body fat. A balanced diet is a diet high in fiber (fresh fruits and vegetable) and low in saturated or animal fat. Trans-fats, often found in fast and junk foods, should be avoided altogether.

So what about diets like the Atkins or South Beach? Fad diets like the Atkins or South Beach normally serve as quick-fix panaceas. Few if any dieters can sustain the weight lost from such drastic dietary change. For many, eating only meats and proteins can only last so long before it’s back to the cookies and cakes. Health researchers have found that people can only restrict their eating patterns for a short period of time before they crave the variety of a more balanced diet.

For overweight people intent on losing weight, exercise is also important. Exercise is the “yin” to diet’s “yang.” Exercise increases a person’s BMR, maintains lean muscle, improves mood, burns off calories, and prevents disease such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Any exercise program should take into account the health and physical conditions of the person planning to work out. A good place for most people to start is walking between 150 and 200 minutes a week (30 minutes a day).

There’s a certain psychology of weight loss. Taking advantage of how we perceive our world can facilitate our desire to lose weight. Health psychologists and weight loss experts have devoted lifetimes to studying what works and what doesn’t. The following are just a few pointers from a long list of useful “mind tricks:”

* Logs and contracts: All people intent on losing weight should keep logs of how much they eat and how much they exercise. Logs help put everything in perspective and help dieters plan out what they need to do. Diet and exercise contracts also help people lose weight. By writing a contract in concise and specific language, people make an obligation to themselves or others (for example another like-minded dieter) to devote themselves to losing weight.

Do you prepare easy diet for weight loss at home or you are searching for best weight loss diet, Here is special diet for weight loss just try it and see the results.

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Are You A Candidate For Weight-Loss Surgery?

Posted by Weight Loss Guy | Posted in Weight Loss Diet Tips | Posted on 02-06-2010

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In recent years, weight-loss surgery has emerged as an incredibly effective tool in helping patients manage obesity and make healthy lifestyle choices. However, weight-loss surgery is not for everyone, so you should understand the key factors used to determine if you are a good candidate for weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System.

While there are several medical factors that can determine whether or not you are eligible for weight-loss surgery; if you qualify, your commitment to the long-term weight-loss process will greatly impact the results. You may want to consider some of these issues on your own, but meeting with a weight-loss surgeon will help you gain an understanding of both the procedure and the lifestyle changes required afterwards.

Body mass index

The body mass index (BMI) requirements for weight-loss surgery were originally set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and have been in place since the 1990s. As a result, weight-loss surgeons will look for patients with a BMI of at least 40 or a body weight at least 100 pounds over ideal weight. Patients with a BMI between 35 and 39 may also be considered for weight-loss surgery if suffering from at least one health condition related to obesity, including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, depression and high cholesterol.
BMI is the most commonly used method of determining an individual’s level of obesity. By using theBMI calculator provided by NewHope Bariatrics, you can see where you fall amongst the following BMI classifications:

o Healthy Body Weight – BMI from 18.5 to 24.9

o Overweight – BMI from 25.0 to 29.9

o Obese – BMI from 30 to 34.9

o Severely Obese – BMI from 35 to 39.9

o Morbidly Obese – BMI 40 and above

Failure of traditional weight-loss methods

Before agreeing to operate, weight-loss surgeons also need to determine if their patients have attempted to lose weight on their own. In most cases, surgeons will require that patients have tried traditional diet and exercise regimens prior to considering weight-loss surgery and documented the results. And in some cases weight-loss surgery patients have participated in medically supervised weight-loss programs. Weight-loss surgeons use this information to determine if their patients are committed to weight loss and lifestyle changes.Documentation of weight-loss efforts is also important when approaching the funding of weight-loss surgery. Like weight-loss surgeons, insurance providers typically require prospective patients to provide proof of repeated efforts to lose weight without surgical intervention.

Overall Health and Lifestyle

While there are many health conditions that may increase the urgency of weight-loss surgery, weight-loss surgeons will require all patients to meet certain lifestyle requirements as part of the program. To ensure that patients undergoing weight-loss surgery are able to experience long-term success and improve their overall health, surgeons will look for patients that avoid smoking, drinking and the abuse of drugs. If considering weight-loss surgery, it is important to eliminate these habits prior to beginning the process. After surgery, patients will be expected to avoid smoking and illicit drug use, while alcohol consumption should occur on a limited basis.

Commitment

Lastly, it is very important that all prospective weight-loss surgery patients be committed to permanent lifestyle changes. After ensuring that patients understand both the risks and rewards inherent in weight-loss surgery, some insurance providers will require psychological evaluations. As weight-loss surgery is not a magic bullet to erase obesity, it is important for all patients to understand the role that better eating habits and exercise play in the recovery process. Additionally, most weight-loss surgery procedures will require patients to meet regularly with doctors, attend support groups or meet with medical specialists to help support specific areas of follow-up care. The decision to have weight-loss surgery should not be taken lightly, and hence, doctors and insurance providers will insist that any patient undergoing the procedure is fully committed to each part of the lifelong process.

If you are trying to determine if you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery, you should consider your BMI and your past experiences with traditional weight-loss methods. If you feel you meet the criteria outlined here, you should then carefully consider both the potential benefits and responsibilities of weight-loss surgery. Though you may be unsure if weight-loss surgery is right for you, a consultation with a weight-loss surgeon will provide extensive insight into your condition and information about life after the procedure. In the end, if you are a good candidate for the procedure and feel prepared for the necessary lifestyle changes, weight-loss surgery can be the first important step towards a longer and healthier life.

Do you prepare easy diet for weight loss at home or you are searching for best weight loss diet, Here is special diet for weight loss just try it and see the results.

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Weight Loss Motivation Rules

Posted by Weight Loss Guy | Posted in Weight Loss Diet Tips | Posted on 02-06-2010

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Successful weight loss Rules for Weight loss motivation.

As with any plan there are always rules. Weight loss is no different; after all it is a battle, a battle of mind over body and every battle has rules. Below is what I consider to be the golden rules of weight loss.

These are, in order,

o You are responsible for yourself and actions

o There are downsides as well as ups, take the rough with the smooth

o Pick the weight loss routine suitable for you

o Take the routine seriously

o And follow through to the end

You are responsible for yourself and actions

Remember, a diet is a selfish action; it is for one person and one person only. A diet should be undertaken for your own needs and desires, not others, for this reason alone it is your very person that is responsible for its success or failure. Pressure is applied more often than not by others and surroundings, but you will have to be strong.

There will be up’s and down’s

So, going with the theory that most people will take some time to realize the truth of the magic rules, the first thing that you need to do then to begin your weight loss regime, is to realize that it is not going to be an easy road to walk or run down.

There will be many tempting goodies like: cream cakes, full fat coffees, cream cheese bagels, the ever popular Burger chains and so on and so forth, littering your path. It is up to you to resist and not give in to these temptations.

I kid you not! It will not be easy so I will not even pretend that we can pass these by without being tempted one or two times and indeed giving into temptation. That would be delusion on a grand scale, and since we are for the moment at least, all about self-honesty, let’s acknowledge the fact that we will fall off the wagon, most do.

But as I said earlier, what matters is not that you fell off the wagon in the first place, but what you do with yourself afterwards. Get up, dust off those cookie crumbs and get right back on the weight loss wagon. You can do it.

And this is really what you need to realize so early on, the fact that you will fall off the weight loss wagon, and the fact that your road will be literally paved with tempting morsel after tempting morsel.

Once you can realize and acknowledge this fact for yourself, you will find that you are better armed to deal with these.

You will also find that being prepared for these little wayside problems, makes it easier for you to tackle them head on, and in many cases, makes it easier for you to turn a blind eye to temptation (most of the time).

Pick a Weight loss Routine Best For You

You have decided that you want to lose weight and you are going about trying to find a way to make this a reality.

Now you need to take a few minutes away from your busy schedule to deicide exactly what measures you can implement in your lifestyle to make it easier for you to lose weight, and also decide how much time you are willing to devote to doing this.

This might be more difficult for you than you think, but the thing is for it not to become daunting at this first hurdle.

If you have only a very minimal time frame on your hands to devote to your goal of losing weight, there is no need to despair.

Since you have already begun the crucial process, you only need to follow through with it and implement a plan that will enable you to do so despite your busy schedule.

Take things one at a time and don’t try to do everything at once. With a limited amount of time on your hands first concentrate on one aspect of your weight loss plan.

If you want to implement an exercise regime, then do so. Leave the diet plans for a later date when you are better able to deal with it, or when your exercise routine has become a set part of your life.

This way, you will be able to gradually incorporate your entire weight loss plan into your life, without having to leave anything out, or without having to feel beleaguered.

The key factor when going through with this golden rule is that you need to find the right balance of diet and/ or exercise for you, the one plan that will fit seamlessly into your lifestyle habits without taking you too out of your way.

Do you prepare easy diet for weight loss at home or you are searching for best weight loss diet, Here is special diet for weight loss just try it and see the results.

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Why You Should Read A Weight Loss Consumer Report

Posted by Weight Loss Guy | Posted in Weight Loss Diet Tips | Posted on 02-06-2010

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The development of the weight loss industry has led to the growth of scores of weight loss supplements and programs each claiming to be the best thing to ever come out in the weight loss industry. While these weight loss products are not necessarily lying, some may also be guilty of not telling you the whole truth. So that’s where a weight loss product consumer report comes in. A weight loss product consumer report works by providing information on weight loss products that are made available to the public. With the general aim of weeding out the lies from the truths in the weight loss industry, a weight loss product consumer report is used to protect unknowing weight loss product consumers from falling prey to dishonest weight loss product manufacturers.

Choosing weight loss products

Choosing a weight loss product to use can be very tricky. It’s not even just because of the sheer amount of products available to you but more so the amount of information that each one is feeding you. So be careful before you buy a weight loss product. It is not enough that you compare products based on what’s popular although that would give you an idea on which one works. To guide you, start out by looking up the list of ingredients of a weight loss product. Then look up a list of ingredients that according to the Food and Drug Administration are harmful for consumption. Just by the list of ingredients alone you will find out if you should be taking a particular weight loss product or not.

Prescriptions: yes, no, maybe

Prescription drugs are generally of higher potencies compared to over-the-counter products. Weight loss products that come with prescriptions are normally given to very obese patients or if a person has a particular weight loss need that cannot be addressed with simple over-the-counter weight loss products. Because of their highly specific content, prescription weight loss products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Degree of effectiveness depend from one person to another but most who take prescription weight loss products lose about 5% to 10% from their weight. While usually given to very obese patients, prescription weight loss products may be given to people who have healthy body mass indexes considering that they have consulted with their doctors and have been cleared to take them.

Go over-the-counter

A lot of weight loss products are available to you over the counter. (Over-the-counter weight loss products mean that you don’t need a prescription to take them.) However, a weight loss product consumer report will tell you that buying weight loss products over-the-counter actually poses more threats than buying with a prescription because use is not regulated. Any person can buy as much as they want, in as many brands as they want without regard to what would work best for them. Essentially a trial-and-error process, the threat also lies in using too many weight loss products at the same time. While all claiming to promote weight loss, weight loss products aren’t generally intended to be used in conjunction with another weight loss product. Well, because each one is claiming to handle singlehandedly all your weight loss needs, they aren’t formulated to be “friendly” to other weight loss products. Using too many weight loss products at the same time can actually make you sicker instead of better. By piling on different substances into your body, you may be overloading your body systems in the process. This makes your body slow down and weaker in defending you against threats in the environment.

Unproven claims

Be careful of weight loss products labeled as “herbal” or “natural” as these can be misleading. Just because they are labeled as such, that does not guarantee that they are indeed safe for consumption. Not everything herbal or natural is safe for you. Some might even be potentially dangerous especially to those who are suffering from any health condition or are already taking prescription medication.

Protect yourself

As any weight loss product consumer report would, you have to learn how to protect yourself. When buying any weight loss product, check to see if a weight loss consumer product report has been done on it. This will tell you how it worked for other people, what does it do, and what does it contain–some of the very basic things you have to know about any weight loss product. Unless approved by the Food and Drug Administration, be cautious about products that contain the words: breakthrough, easy, magical, new discovery, guaranteed, effortless, exotic, secret, miraculous, and mysterious. If you’ve taken the time to find out what works, take the time to tell other people what works. Create your own weight loss product consumer report and help ensure that other people are informed and protected as well.

Do you prepare easy diet for weight loss at home or you are searching for best weight loss diet, Here is special diet for weight loss just try it and see the results.

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Weight Loss Truths – Un-Sugar Coated

Posted by Weight Loss Guy | Posted in Weight Loss Diet Tips | Posted on 02-06-2010

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Millions of people are currently on a weight loss mission. Sadly, only a small fraction will lose weight, and half of those that do succeed will put it right back on in a matter of months.

The weight loss product industry makes billions of dollars yearly at the whim of desperate consumers looking for that quick fix, that magic pill, or the revolutionary machine that will make them lose weight.

Weight loss does not come in a bottle or a machine. It never has, and it never will. True weight loss takes proper nutrition, exercise, and rest. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, overnight miracles, or FDA approved drugs that will force the fat off your body, much less keep it off.

While you read this revealing article keep a few key points in mind. These are the truths that you may not want to hear, but need to. Here are the weight loss truths, un-sugar coated.

Weight Loss Truth #1 – You will not lose 5-10 pounds of body fat in a week

If you want to lose fat and keep it off, then it’s going to take some time. I won’t guarantee 5-10 pound weight loss in a week or two, but I will say you can realistically lose 1-2 pounds of body fat a week, and gain lean muscle at the same rate. You didn’t put the weight on overnight, and therefore it’s not going to magically disappear overnight.

True weight loss is fat loss…not muscle loss, not water or bone loss, but fat loss. Losing 5-10 pounds or more a week is a loss of bone, muscle, and water, which results in a destroyed metabolism.

Scale weight is obsolete, as the scale is only a measuring device, unable to distinguish between muscle, fat, bone, and water weight.

Weight Loss Truth #2 – There is no quick fix to fat loss, and fad diets are worthless

Lose 40 pounds in a week! Lose weight while you sleep! Rapid weight loss! Lose weight without diet or exercise! These are consumer hot buttons, causing you to buy products with your emotions. They are misleading and just plain lies, lies, and lies. Fad diets and “quick fix” products will drain your wallet and leave you feeling worse than when you started. The only weight you will lose on a fad diet or a quick fix is water, muscle, and bone. These are not desired results, as they lead to metabolic downgrade and increased fat storage.

Lotions, potions, and gadgets for fat loss should be tossed out the window. They are worthless. Taking fat off requires nutrients and exercise. It’s that simple, yet rarely told to you because the weight loss product industry’s job it to make an insane amount of money.

Weight Loss Truth #3 – You have to stop eating processed foods labeled “healthy,” “low-fat,” or “low-carb”.

Food labels are misleading and can cause you to gain more fat in the long run. They are completely processed.

Prepackaged meals and “diet foods” contain chemicals that your body can’t metabolize and therefore, it slows down your metabolism. Chemicals that don’t leave your body become toxins and get lodged in your fat cells, making fat loss even more difficult.

Weight Loss Truth #4 – You will have to put forth the effort if you want to lose fat

The body is made to be nourished and to be physical. If you want to lose fat you have to eat right and get moving. It may not be glamorous or fun, but it’s a must if you want to shed the fat.

There are a number of things you can do for exercise, such as walking, in-line skating, weight training, biking, hiking, swimming, etc. Whatever your choice is, just do it.

Weight Loss Truth #5 – You will not be a supermodel or swimsuit model

Well, I’m not saying this can’t or won’t happen, but my point is that many weight loss ads suggest that after you take their product you will look like the supermodel marketing the product.

Remember, models are models. They are spokespersons for the company. They are just doing their job. Just because a supermodel is holding a bottle of the latest cortisol blocker does not mean you will look like her by taking that product.

Weight Loss Truth #6 – Muscle does not weigh more than fat

There is a misconception linked with weight training, that muscle weighs more than fat. I’ve heard Dr. Phil say this (yes, the wonderful “dieting expert”), as well as Bob Greene, Oprah’s personal trainer. These people are looked upon as icons, yet they are giving out false information.

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. Go do the experiment yourself right now. Grab two pounds of chicken fat and weigh it, and then weigh two pounds of chicken meat (muscle). Which weighs more? Neither. Two pounds of fat weighs the same as two pounds of muscle, two pounds.

Muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space. Therefore, it would be ideal to add muscle to your frame because it’s more dense, creates curves, and it increases your metabolism.

Weight Loss Truth #7 – You can’t spot reduce

Doing a thousand leg lifts won’t reduce your thighs any faster than doing a thousand crunches to tone your abs. Simply, and sadly put, you cannot spot reduce. Doing crunches upon crunches will only build the underlying abdominal muscle beneath your layer of tummy fat.

To trim down flabby areas you need to eat several small balanced meals that are unprocessed, and you need to exercise. When your body fat begins to reduce, your trouble spots will begin to shape up.

Do you prepare easy diet for weight loss at home or you are searching for best weight loss diet, Here is special diet for weight loss just try it and see the results.

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