Low Glycaemic Index Diets Are Better Than High Protein Diets

Australian research team lead by Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller at the University of Sydney conducted a trial in which 129 overweight subjects ages 18 to 40 were randomly assigned to one of four weight-loss diets for 12-week. All four diets were comprised of reduced fat (30 percent of total energy intake) and held daily calories to 1400 kcal for women and 1900 kcal for men. 

 

This was the first clinical trial comparing the effects of glycaemic index and high-protein diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk. 

 

The diets varied in target levels of carbohydrates, proteins, and glycaemic load (i.e., glycaemic index multiplied by the amount of carbohydrate, divided by 100) as follows:

 

Diet 1: carbohydrates comprise 55 percent of total energy intake, protein 15 percent of total energy intake, high glycemic load (127 g) 

 

Diet 2: similar to diet 1 except a lower glycemic load (75g) 

 

Diet 3: protein comprises 25 percent total energy intake (based on lean red meat), carbohydrate reduced to 45 percenttotal energy of intake, and high glycemic load (87 g) 

 

Diet 4: Similar to diet 3, except low glycemic load (54 g).

 

Brand-Miller and her team report that the diets resulted in similar reductions in weight (4.2 percent to 6.2 percent of body weight), fat mass and waist circumference.

 

However, in the high-carbohydrate diets, lowering the glycemic load doubled the fat loss. The investigators also found that total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels increased with diet 3 and decreased in diet2. 

 

In the short term findings suggest that dietary glycemic load, and not just overall energy intake, influences weight loss,

 

Foods with a low degree of starch gelatinization, such as pasta, and those containing a high level of viscous soluble fiber, such as wholegrain barley, oats, and rye, have slower rates of digestion and lower glycemic index values.

 

Without any drastic change in regular dietary habits, one can simply replace high glycemic index grains with low glycemic index grains and starchy vegetables with less starchy ones and cut down on softdrinks, that are often poor in nutrients yet high in glycemic load.

 

Low Fat Diets - How Effective Is The Low Fat Diet Plan?

Are low-fat diets effective? Personally, I would say no. While this still doesn’t give license for everyone to dust off the deep fryer, it simply means that fat doesn’t play quite so large of a role in harboring diseases as previously thought by researchers.

 

According to a 10 yearlong study of 49,000 postmenopausal women nationwide, low-fat diets had virtually no effect on the incidence of heart disease, colorectal cancer, stroke, or breast cancer as opposed to the higher fat content of a “more standard” American diet. This news has certainly come as a shock for many since the exact opposite was touted. If we, as a society, were to eat less fats then the occurrence of heart disease and various cancers would surely plummet.

 

What has also shocked many is that eating a high-carb, low-fat diet will not raise triglycerides, or elevate chances of developing diabetes. And even though fat has over double the calories per gram as protein or carbohydrates, eating a low-fat diet will not help those needing to lose weight.

 

One piece of evidence that does happen to coincide with past assertions is that this same study also illustrated the fact that diets high in saturated fat and trans-fat do greatly elevate cholesterol levels and raise one’s chances of getting heart disease. Thus, it is still my opinion that the healthiest way to eat is to find balance in your diet.

 

Next, it would be well advised not to eat more fats than are generally recommended by doctors and don’t eat less fats than is recommended. For active folks, a common estimate for one’s daily fat requirements should equal roughly 20% of one’s total calories.

 

For the heavier set, I wouldn’t cut any lower than 15%. So, if you were to eat a diet high in saturated fat, then you could potentially develop heart disease due to the elevated cholesterol levels. This is a fairly common occurrence for the strict adherents of the Atkins diet model. While they may lose some weight, they are often left with soaring blood cholesterol levels.

 

On the other hand, if one were to eat a strict low-fat diet then they could also be increasing their chances for heart disease due to their diet’s lack of essential fatty acids. So, it is indeed important that balance is achieved when nutrition and your health is at stake. If one becomes too lax or too restrictive, then you will be unintentionally sabotaging your heart amongst other things and that could eventually cost you your life.

Low Carb Fad Diets Revealed

With all of the conflicting studies and open interpretation of advice, it's no stunner that disorder reigns when it comes to the value and safety of low-carb diets. Whether it's Atkins, the South Beach or another low-carb set up, as many as 30 million Americans are doing a low-carb diet.

 

Advocates swear that the elevated quantity of carbohydrates in our diet has led to increasing problems with obesity, diabetes, and other health conditions. Critics, on the contrary, attribute obesity and associate health conditions to over-consumption of calories from any source, and shortage of physical movement. Critics also contend that the shortage of grains, fruits, and vegetables in low-carbohydrate plans may lead to deficiencies of some key nutrients, like fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, and several minerals.

 

Any plan, either low or high in carbohydrate, can generate substantial weight loss during the primary stages of the diet. But bear in mind, the key to prosperous dieting is in being capable to part with the weight for good. Put another way, what does the scale reveal a year after going off the diet? Let's see if we can debunk some of the mystery around low-carb diets. Further down, is a listing of some relevant points taken from latest studies.

 

Differences Between Low-Carb Diets

 

There are several popular diets designed to reduce carbohydrate intake. Reducing total carbohydrate in the diet means that protein and fat will represent a proportionately larger quantity of the whole caloric intake. Atkins and Protein Power diets limit carbohydrate to a point where the body becomes ketogenic. Other low-carb diets like the Zone and Life Without Bread are less restrictive. Some, like Sugar Busters assert to remove only sugars and foods that raise blood sugar levels excessively.

 

What We Know about Low-Carb Diets

 

Just about all of the studies to date have been small with a broad range of research objectives. Carbohydrate, caloric consumption, diet length and participant characteristics have varied greatly. Most of the studies to date maintain two things in common: Not one of the studies had participants with a mean age above 53 and Not one of the controlled studies lasted longer than three months. Findings on older adults and long-term results are scant. Several diet studies fail to monitor the amount of exercise, and consequently caloric expenditure. This helps to explain discrepancies among studies.

 

The weight loss on low-carb diets is a business of caloric restriction and diet length, and not with reduced carbohydrate intake. This discovery suggests that if you desire to lose weight, you should eat fewer calories and do so over a prolonged duration. Little data exists on the long-range safety of low-carb diets. In spite of the medical community concerns, no short-term adverse effects have been established on cholesterol, glucose, insulin and blood-pressure levels amongst participants on the diets. Adverse effects may not be exposed because of the short period of the studies. Researchers have found that losing weight typically leads to an improvement in these levels anyway, and this may offset an increase caused by a high fat diet.

 

The extended range weight difference for low-carb and other types of diets is comparable. Most low-carb diets invoke ketosis. Some of the potential consequences are nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and confusion. During the first stages of low-carb dieting some fatigue and constipation may be encountered. Usually, these symptoms go away quickly. Ketosis may also give the breath a fruity odor, somewhat similar to nail-polish remover (acetone).

 

Low-carb diets do not permit the consumption of more calories than other types of diets, as has been frequently reported. A calorie is a calorie and it doesn't matter whether they originate from carbohydrates or fat. Study discrepancies are likely the effect of uncontrolled circumstances; i.e. diet participants that cheat on calorie intake, calories burned during exercise, or any number of other factors. The drop-out rate for rigorous low-carb diets is somewhat high.

 

What Should You Do?

 

There are 3 significant points I would like to re-emphasize:

 

• The long-range success rate for low-carb and other types of diets is comparable.

• Despite their acceptance, little data exists on the long-term efficacy and safeness of low-carbohydrate diets.

• Rigorous low-carb diets are generally not sustainable as a routine way of eating. Boredom most often overcomes willpower.

 

It is clear after reviewing the subject, that more, well-designed and controlled studies are required. There just isn't a lot of satisfactory information available, especially regarding long-range effects. Strict low-carb diets generate ketosis which is an unusual and potentially stressful metabolic state. Under some circumstances this may cause health related complications. The diet you choose should be a blueprint for a lifetime of better eating, not just a hasty weight loss plan to reach your goal. If you can't see yourself eating the prescribed foods longer than a few days or a week, then chances are it's not the proper diet for you. To this end, following a somewhat low fat diet with a healthy balance of fat, protein, carbohydrate and other nutrients is beneficial.

 

If you do resolve to follow a low-carb arrangement, bear in mind that certain dietary fats are associated with reduction of disease. Foods high in unsaturated fats that are free of trans-fatty acids such as olive oil, fish, flaxseeds, and nuts are preferred to fats from animal origins. Even promoters of the Atkins diet now say men and women on their system should curb the amount of red meat and saturated fat they eat. Atkins representatives are telling health professionals that just 20 percent of a dieter's calories should come from saturated fat (i.e. meat, cheese, butter). This switch comes as Atkins faces contention from other popular low-carb diets that call for less saturated fat, such as the South Beach diet plan.

 

Another alternative to "strict" low-carb dieting would be to give up some of the bad carbohydrate foods but not "throw out the baby with the bath water". In other words, foods high in processed sugar, snacks, and white bread would be avoided, but foods high in complex carbs such as fruits, potatoes and whole grains, retained.

Low Carb Diets: Just How Safe Are They?

Whether you’re in a grocery store, a restaurant or just watching the commercials on TV during your favorite show, you are bombarded with ads and special menu’s singing the praises of the virtues of the low carb diet. This low carb craze has virtually swept the western world and has dieters everywhere seeking out low carb this and low carb that with many reporting weight loss as a result!!! 

 

This is great news right? Finally, an easy diet plan that makes you lose weight and you can eat lots of food as long as they have almost no carbs in them!!! But have we really struck gold, or have we simply struck fools gold? Is the idea of eating a low carb diet for weight loss really a good idea or are there any side affects that may come with these diets that adversely affect our health? 

 

Consider this, many people want something for nothing and this way of thinking also applies to those looking to lose weight but unfortunately there is no miracle substitute to good sound nutritional practices. Our society is one that values “quick fixes” which is why the low carb diet plan is a perfect fit for this society’s way of thinking. This is what makes it so appealing. 

 

It is true that a large amount of weight will be lost as glycogen (stored carbohydrate) depletes in the muscles and liver, but this weight is from water, not fat loss which is not good for body composition or overall health. It is also true that the body will rely on free fatty acids for fuel when muscle glycogen is depleted, but the body will rely much more on amino acids (protein) from the breakdown of lean (muscle) tissue as well so while you may burn fat, you will also burn more muscle as well and remember, your heart is also a muscle! In addition to this, those on a carb-restricted diet have lower energy levels and shorter time to fatigue during physical activity which means any activity will likely be in shorter durations.

 

The fact is you need carbohydrates for your brain, heart, and muscles as well as other vital organs. The main fuel of the brain and central nervous system is glucose, which is obtained most easily from carbohydrates. If carbohydrates remain unavailable for several days the body tries to conserve protein by producing an alternate fuel source known as ketones from the partial burning of fatty acids. As this breakdown continues, these ketones build in the blood causing a condition known as ketosis. Initial weight loss is not from fat but from water from the kidneys trying to rid the body of excess ketones.

 

Low carb diets make the blood more acidic, causing potentially serious and unwanted side effects like headaches, bad breath, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Also when carbohydrate stores are depleted in the body, the rate at which fat is metabolized is reduced meaning that carbohydrates are necessary for the ability to metabolize fat effectively. And keep this in mind, carbohydrates do not make you fat, calories in general make you fat so the most effective weight loss plan is simply to adjust your calorie intake to be in the right range for your own individual needs with the proper balance of nutrients.

 

The fact is, just because you seem to notice a loss of overall body weight in the initial stages of a low carb diet doesn’t mean it is a good solid safe means of going about embarking on a weight loss venture. There is no substitute and there will never be a good substitute to a good sound nutritional plan coupled with a moderate exercise plan and making that plan a lifetime venture.

Low Carb Diet - Is It A Good Way To Lose Weight?

It is a true fact that the people following a low fat diet loose weight drastically. But the recent clinical studies prove that people reducing carbs steadily, loose weight still rapidly. Look at the negative and positive aspects of the diet before committing to it.

 

There are different kinds of diet introduced by the medical experts such as Atkins diet, South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, Sugar Busters, and Protein Power diet etc which aim at reducing the consumption of fatty foods. The two main ingredients that increase your weight rapidly are the refined flour and sugar. They increase the glucose levels in the blood, and helps pancreas to produce more excessive insulin. Due to the excessive amount of insulin the carbs are easily converted into fats. When your food comprises of low carbs, the pancreas produces less of insulin. The unnecessary storages of fats are burnt and you swiftly start loosing weight. When you stick to the low carb diet the level of glucose in the body is less and you are less prone to diabetes. 

 

Due to the increased level of insulin production, hormonal changes take place and you develop blocked pores in your skin. These problems later lead to skin diseases like acne, pimples, whiteheads etc. 

 

Some people cannot simply desert the carb rich foods because they are strongly accustomed to the taste. Such people must use substitutes like breads with wholesome grains. You can continuously enjoy with your favorite dishes while reducing your weight. 

 

Apart from abiding to a particular diet pattern, it is also important to plan an exercise routine. As far as possible, keep a track of your weight and gradually increase your exercise duration. Make sure that you are strictly following your diet pattern you have chosen. 

 

Low carb diet is a very good way to lose weight.

Low Carb Diet Plans

Word “Diet” actually refers to what a person eats or drinks during the course of a day and our body weight is the result of what and how much we eat and drink. Therefore, for maintaining a healthy body and to look good we must follow a proper Diet Plan.

 

For a diet to be ideal, it must be nutritionally balanced, i.e., it must include wide variety of foods with enough calories and nutrients. And a Diet Plan should be easy to follow so that one can maintain the consistency following it throughout his life. Nutrition plays a great role in your health.

 

As we all know that negligent and mismanaged eating habits lead to the health problem called Obesity, people are affected with it globally. It is the major cause for diseases like diabetes, heart attack, different types of cancer, osteoarthritis etc. Hence, a suitable diet plan will play a vital role to escape from Obesity. 

 

Low carbohydrate or Low Carb Diet is a diet with less assemblage of carbohydrate with increased proportion of protein and fat. It is recommended to the people who are obese and diabetic, with high cholesterol level, high blood pressure and hypoglysemia. Excess intake of carbohydrate results in weight gain because it allows body to produce and release high amount of insulin, resulting high blood pressure, that damages blood vessels by raising the level of triglycerides which is a fat present in the blood and it lowers HDL cholesterol level that protects against heart diseases.

 

Moreover, low carb diet is beneficial as it promotes decreased amount of insulin production and allows consumption of fat as energy source. 

 

Various components of a low carb diets are saturated fat like stearic acid found in beef and other fats including coconut oil, olive oil, butter, cheese, lard, fish oil, tallow, palm kernal oil, peanut oil, and flaxseed oil with unlimited amounts of meat, limited amount of green vegetables can be taken, with a good supplement of vitamin and minerals. 

 

Before taking “Weight Loss” sessions one must know the actual requirement of Weight Loss Supplements. If you need to burn more calories throughout day, you may need thermogenic supplements. If you need to control your overeating habit, then you may need appetite-control supplements. 

 

With a boom in the weight loss industries, we see plenty of weight loss products everywhere. Weight loss supplements includes pills from Herbalife and Metabolife, fat-burners, stackers and other diet or sports supplements.

 

When we come across word “Herbal,” we feel that it is all safe to consume it, but it was reported that herbal pills containing Ephedra have shown many side effects similar to weight loss drugs. So, manufacturers are now trying to make weight loss supplements Ephedra free.

 

As the saying goes “slow and steady wins the race.” Accordingly, if anyone follows a diet plan thoroughly without any break and without taking help from weight loss supplements, result will be permanent, health friendly and more satisfying.

Low Carb Diet Plan - When More Is Better

When most people want to lose weight the first thing they usually do is start a diet. And a diet to most people means "stop eating".

 

Wrong!

 

A healthy diet should consist of eating less of the foods that contain calories from simple carbohydrates (sugar and processed flour) and more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and good sources of protein. This is the basis of a good low carb diet plan.

 

As a matter of fact, a good diet should have you eating more instead of less! Not more food, but more often.

 

The body's a wonderful mechanism. It's geared towards one important goal. Survival. When your body feels threatened by the lack of food it automatically assumes that you're starving.

 

To combat this condition the body will start breaking down muscle to use as energy and saves its fat stores for the last ditch effort to save itself from what it thinks is imminent death.

 

This is bad on two fronts.

 

First, by using muscle tissue for energy you're losing precious lean mass which is metabolically active. This means that you need energy to support muscle which helps to keep your metabolism running at a higher pace. Higher metabolism means more calories burned even in a resting state.

 

Fat, on the other hand, doesn't need any energy to support it. It's simply "dead" weight.

 

Secondly, the body will start storing more fat because it's preparing itself for the worst. Your survival is your body's most important concern so it'll do whatever it can to stay alive.

 

So what can you do if you want to eat less without starving yourself and sending your body into this defense mode?

 

Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.

 

This works on two levels.

 

By eating more often you won't get hungry as quickly and your metabolism will stay raised because you'll be digesting food more often. Digesting food uses calories just like any other physical activity.

 

So here's the plan. Eat four or five meals a day. Not what most would consider a meal (main course with two sides and dessert!), but a small portion of protein along with some fresh fruits and veggies.

 

This can be accomplished with a little planning and preparing in your spare time.

 

Cook your week’s worth of meals - skinless chicken's an excellent source of protein and can usually be purchased in a big pack or value pack from your local grocery store - and refrigerate it in separate packages, one for each meal.

 

Egg whites are a very good source of protein too. By mixing three or four whites with one yolk and tossing it into the microwave for approximately 90 seconds, whipping it and tossing it back in for another 60 seconds, you can have some nice fluffy scrambled eggs practically anywhere. Without all the cholesterol!

 

Buy your produce and clean it, separating it too into meal size portions. All this can be done in a few hours on the weekend.

 

Buying some disposable storage containers can help keep things convenient and organized.

 

Try to eat every three hours or so to keep your metabolism and energy up. This'll help you stay away from those snacking binges too.

 

Also, drink lots of water. Water will help to cleanse your body and make you feel full.

 

So you see, with a little planning and by adhering to a low carb diet plan sometimes eating more can be better!

Losing Weight Without Forgetting About Fasting Health

Because nutrition is becoming more artificial these days and because people have the tendency to become physically inactive in the way they live their lives, the problem of putting on weight is unavoidable for most people. Solutions are everywhere, but are they the correct ones? If you choose to keep in mind that Fasting Health has more priority than the Fasting Miracle everyone wishes for, then yes. You’ve made the right decision.

 

Because most people are looking for ways to lose weight quickly and without many changes in life style, specialized companies have appeared on the market trying to make a profit out of this. Their recipe for success is to come up with something that can be called a Fasting Miracle. What is a Fasting Miracle? When you watch an ad about a diet product, you will usually be introduced to a Fasting Miracle meaning a person that has lost something like twenty pounds in three days with practically no effort, just by swallowing the three pills that are advertised. 

 

There is no television channel that does not run at least one ad including a Fasting Miracle. And then, there are all sorts of stories about movie or pop stars that have gone through such a Fasting Miracle themselves. They claim they have lost a lot of weight without making too much effort. They just drank this or that tea or took an amazing pill. 

 

What we don’t think about is that such a Fasting Miracle is more the result of the money invested in the story than the result of the efficiency of the product. The company that produces the diet product will pay the star a lot of money to talk on all the TV channels about their Fasting Miracle. Whether you as a viewer choose to believe in a Fasting Miracle or not, is entirely up to you, but it can have serious consequences on your health. 

 

What you must know when you begin a diet is that there is no such thing as a Fasting Miracle. Any diet that works takes effort and patience. You usually have to begin with something that is called Detox Fasting. In this case you do not actually lose weight, but your body eliminates all the elements that are not useful and act as a slow and effective poison. You will have to drink a lot of liquids and stop eating some of the things you are used to, so you will have plenty of time to understand that a Fasting Miracle is a lie. The mere fact that there are people who have to go to a Fasting Retreat to diet under supervision is also a sign that a Fasting Miracle does not happen in real life. 

 

Sometimes, when people want to get Fasting Information, they will go to a Fasting Forum on-line. People connect to these networks because they are looking for a Fasting Miracle. They hope that one of the other persons from the forum will tell them the story behind the Fasting Miracle. They hope to be convinced and to give them courage to do it themselves. What actually happens is that on the forums you will find out that a Fasting Miracle never happens. You may hear many stories about the people who were trying to make a Fasting Miracle happen and instead they just damaged their health. You will also hear of those who succeeded by choosing the right method and by persevering (with a lot of effort) in their goal. Perhaps it is better to join a Fasting Forum, because, even if it does not appear to be the most attractive solution, it is the one that will give real results to your personal search.

 

It is advisable to learn and study accurate information on Fasting Health even before you start a diet or fast. A good question with which to approach other members on the Fasting Forum or your natural hygienist doctor is, “What is Fasting Health?” Many people who have gone through a successful diet will be able to tell you the basic principles of Fasting Health. And they will also tell you that the biggest mistake you can make is to ignore Fasting Health while seeking a Fasting Miracle.

 

So what does Fasting Health entail? Fasting Health means not trying to lose too much weight overnight. Fasting Health means that you will take good care of your nutrition and understand very well why you are eating THIS and not THAT food. Fasting Health means that you are basically not starving yourself, but learning to carry out a water or juice fast in the correct manner.

 

A doctor will tell you that Fasting Health means keeping the proper hours of the meal, eating well, but eating right. It is important to eat well in the morning and lunch to be able to have a light dinner, instead of starving the entire day and ending up eating more than necessary at night. The busy life of the 21 century can really make you forget how things should really be. 

 

You will also be told that Fasting Health means complementing the lack of certain food with vitamins to keep a balanced diet even if you eliminate certain foods from your diet. Fasting Health means that you get rid of what is bad, not of everything or the foods that are absolutely necessary for you. Fasting Health means also not relying only on nutrition in order to lose weight. It’s all about regaining the natural program of life that busy people forget about. Fasting Health involves a good physical exercise associated with the diet. It is after all everyone’s wish to lose weight and look good at the same time. Respecting only the diet, your muscles will look just as poorly as they did before and your skin doesn’t recover either. Because the body is in such a close relation with the mind, Fasting Health also means trying to sleep well and being stressed as little as possible. 

 

As you can see, Fasting Health is a complex notion that involves some effort and understanding on your behalf as well. Dieting is a lot about the brain, perhaps more about it than the body. So it should start with a positive attitude and with determination. Fasting Health can be attained by a patient person who is ready to lose weight and grow healthy slowly, but intelligently. The priority is to stay healthy, and then look good. Do not forget that.

Losing Weight While Keeping Your Skin Firm

Losing weight and keeping your skin firm in the process is possible if you do everything right. Don't get too eager about losing weight too fast and follow the right program and you will be celebrating your success.

 

Considering you don't have an excessive amount of loose skin already it is possible to lose weight and keep your skin firm in the process. The idea is to keep your body well hydrated day in and day out. NEVER EVER let yourself become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and NEVER EVER totally eliminate your carbohydrate intake. From my experience most people who have lost weight too fast by eliminating their carbohydrates ended up with a lot of excess skin afterwards. The whole idea is to lose the weight to get healthier and of course to look better with your clothes ON and with your clothes OFF. Here are some tips:

 

1. Follow a well-rounded balanced diet such as my insulin response diet located at http://www.tbfinc.com

 

2. Follow a full body exercise routine alternating with a split routine every 4 weeks. For example, full body routine 4 weeks, split routine 4 weeks, full body routine 4 weeks, and so on. 

 

3. Considering you don't have stomach ulcers and you are not on blood thinners you should also take ONE TEASPOON of cold artic cod liver oil ONCE PER DAY with your evening meal. 

 

4. Take 1000-1500mg of lecithin per day. Lecithin has been known to increase the elasticity of the skin. 

 

5. Anything you can do to increase circulation will also help. Skin brushing techniques are very good. Do a search on the internet for skin brushing to get all the info you need. Deep massages are also good. 

 

6. Most importantly if you are more than 75 pounds overweight DO NOT try to lose weight too fast. The more you weigh the easier it will be to lose weight on this program so ease into it slowly so you only lose about 3 pounds per week. Doing this will prevent the sagging skin. If you lose weight too fast you will end up with loose skin 90% of the time. 

 

7. Some of my clients have done weekly body wraps with great success but it can get messy. You can do this as an option but it's really not necessary. 

 

As an option you can also take a supplement called collagen. 

 

As I stated above one key to increasing the elasticity of your skin is to keep your body well hydrated. Yes, drinking water will do this. The average person needs at least 1/2 an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Possibly more depending on the type of exercise you do on a daily basis. The reason why so many people end up with loose skin after losing weight is because they go on low carbohydrate diets that will in turn dehydrate the body. If you lose weight and are dehydrated in the process you will see the scale weight go down but unfortunately most of the weight being lost is nothing more than water weight. If you are losing 2-3 pounds per week you are doing great. If you are losing 4-6 pounds you are pushing the limit. Any more than 6 pounds per week and you are sure to end up with loose skin after losing the weight because chances are you are restricting too many carbohydrates from your diet. Cutting out refined flours/breads and sugars will yield the best results.

 

Also, instead of getting on the scale every week to measure your progress go more by how your clothes are fitting. I always tell my clients to try on the tightest pair of pants they have and then follow my program for 4 weeks and then try them on again. After 4 weeks those tight fitting pants will be a thing of the past.

 

Follow all the above and you will see satisfactory results.

Losing Weight the Healthy Way is the Best Way

Almost 108 million Americans were overweight or obese in 1999. Until now, obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.

 

One way to prevent this scenario is to make people aware of the risks of being overweight or obese. 

 

Here are some diseases that you are putting yourself in risk of if you are carrying a lot of extra pounds: 

• heart disease

• stroke 

• diabetes

• cancer

• arthritis

• hypertension

 

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases. 

 

The quick weight loss methods which have spread like fire these days do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods which involve dietary drinks, foods and supplement or pills do not work. If they do, the results are just temporary. 

 

It is better to rely on a healthy weight loss option which will provide lifetime results. You have to set realistic goals and not expect to lose a lot of pounds in a short span of time. 

 

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

 

1. Do not starve yourself. 

 

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet. 

 

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing those unwanted flabs on your belly and thighs by skipping meals. But remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up every day. 

 

If you get used to skipping one or two meals a day, your stored calories will be used up instead of the energy that should have been provided by your meals. So if you just eat one huge sandwich in one day, it will end up straight to your problem area (i.e. highs, buttocks, hips). 

 

2. Start your day right. 

 

Mothers always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism. 

 

Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

 

3. Eat small, healthy meals frequently. 

 

Five small-serving snacks per day is better than three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, can prevent over-eating. This will also increase your metabolism and make calories burn faster. 

 

4. Decide on how much weight you want to lose. 

 

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks. Have a mindset that you want to eat healthy to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

 

Once you have decided on a weight loss plan or program, stick to it and make sure that you follow your own set of dieting rules. 

 

5. Drink lots of water. 

 

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy. 

 

6. Avoid too much sugar. 

 

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread, rice or pasta for that carbo fix that you need, plus lean meat and protein rich-foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be once-in-a-while indulgences only.

 

7. Watch your fat intake. 

 

Fat is not the culprit to being overweight. You need this to keep your weight at the proper level. 

 

There is such a thing as healthy fats. Olive, peanuts and canola oil have them. Tuna, salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats which is good for the heart. 

 

8. Exercise. 

 

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle or skate. Use these activites and other home chores if you are too lazy to go to the gym and take exercise classes. Make sure that you do this regularly and you will not even notice that you are already shedding pounds with these mundane activities. 

 

It does not matter how much weight you plan or need to lose. What is important is that you set realistic goals for yourself. 

 

Go slow. If you have already lost 5 or 6 pounds, give yourself a break then try to lose the next 5 pounds. 

 

Eat healthy, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result to a new, healthier you.

Losing Weight One Pound at a Time!

Over two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. That’s quite a high percentage of adults who have a need to shed a little or a lot of fat! The only way to do this is one pound at a time!

 

Many overweight individuals wish and hope for a quick cure to their weight problems. They’ll try anything that promises instant results! Unfortunately, these ‘miracle weight loss’ products are scams! They may help a person shed some water weight, initially. But, the fat isn’t going anywhere without a little effort on that person’s part!

 

For those of you who have tried weight loss diets or are thinking about trying one, consider all the dieters who have tried the same diets and failed. The number one reason for permanent weight loss failure is the inability to stick with the diet!

 

Many individuals become ‘yo-yo’ dieters. They try one diet for a while, lose a few pounds, quit the diet, gain back the weight (and then some), and move on to another diet. The process is repeated. With each new attempt, there is often more weight to lose than there was initially! 

 

Successful Weight Loss Strategies

 

If you want to lose weight successfully, you must realize, first, that there are no miracle diets or products that will blast away the fat! You didn’t gain the weight overnight! You aren’t going to lose it overnight, either! You will have to put forth effort to lose the fat, one pound at a time! Even after you’ve shed those extra pounds, you will have to continue to work at controlling your weight, if you wish to keep the fat off! 

 

In an article on Consumer Reports.org which rates various popular diets, Cathy Nonas, R.D., M.S., (an obesity researcher at North General Hospital in New York) states, “The best diet is the one you can stay on.” Consumer Reports goes on to say that “adherence is important... To maintain lost weight, dieters must permanently reduce their calorie intake, because they will need fewer calories to fuel their now-smaller body.”

 

Fad diets typically fail in the end. From my own personal experience, I have found that eating sensibly works best! If you want to lose weight (one pound at a time), keep it off, and feel good, too, why not try cutting down on the empty calories found in most American diets? Eat more raw vegetables and fruits and whole grains. Go easy on the fats and processed sugary or salty snacks. Limit yourself to smaller portions and avoid having second helpings. This type of diet is one that you CAN stick with and live with for the rest of your life!

 

Yes, you’ll have to make a few lifestyle changes, and you’ll have to work on being more disciplined in your eating habits. But, in the end, it will be worth it! You’ll look better! You’ll feel better! Your confidence will return, and you’ll believe that there isn’t anything that you cannot do! 

 

Wouldn’t it be worth giving up that 44-ounce Coke and that huge order of greasy French fries for a healthier, happier you? If you simply can’t do without a few French fries and a Coke now and then, go ahead and treat yourself to a small serving. Cut back on calories somewhere else that day. Occasionally, it’s okay to indulge. But, if you seriously want to shed the extra fat and keep it off, be conscious about everything you put into your mouth. You’ll lose that weight, a pound at a time!

 

Note: Before beginning any weight loss program, be sure to check with your medical professional.

Losing Weight Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3, 4 with Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy

This week's four tips include suggestions in each of the four elements you need to work on in order to achieve your health, fitness, wellness and weight loss goals: (eating right, exercise, support and accountability).

1.    Good Eating Tip

 

Next time you order pizza for yourself or your kids ask for half the cheese. You’ll barely notice any taste loss. But what you will lose is tons of calories and a whole lot of grams of saturated fats. Pizza’s doesn’t have to be left off weekly menu anymore.

2.    Making Exercise Safe and Fun

 

In order to lose weight you have to become more active. Most people do anything to avoid moving their bodies. And society is an accomplice. You can pick up food, a prescription, your clothes and your kid without leaving your car. In President Bush’s new “Healthier US “ initiative (http://www.healthierus.gov) he suggests walking for 30 minutes each day. Even if you have to break it up into 10-15 minute chunks. Not only will you burn 200-300 calories, you can walk with your family and increase your quality time as well. Move family time away from the TV and onto the street.

3.    Maintaining Your Support System

 

If you’re the type of person who feels guilty about things, great news. You can use that emotion to help you lose weight. Here’s how. Exercise with a partner. But before you start make a pact that you will not let the other person down and you will pick them up should they start losing interest. It’s much easier to let yourself down then another person. You won’t do it, because you’ll feel guilty if you do.

4.    Accountability Tools

 

A food diary is a great way to keep track of what you eating and when. Keep track of what you consume on an hourly basis throughout the day. If you do this for 2 weeks you will see exactly where those extra calories (and thereby those extra pounds) are coming from. Also, don’t forget to keep track of what you’re drinking.