Eat Oats, Lose Weight!
September 17, 2009 by Patsie
Filed under Diets, Foods, Nutrition, Super Foods
If you want to lose weight, cutting down food is the usual recourse. However, with certain foods eating more can actually help you lose weight. Eating oats for weight loss is one prime example. Consider oat meal and oat bran as weight loss super foods.
Oats are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, they are so rich in soluble and insoluble fibers that can lower your cholesterol and sugar levels. This is medically proven! Beta glucan is a soluble fiber contained in oats. When this soluble fiber goes through your digestive tract it absorbs cholesterol containing acids. Instead of your body accumulating all the cholesterol, the beta glucan quite literally sweeps it out of your system. It throws the cholesterol down the toilet.
A major study has proven: eating oats regularly can lover LDL or bad cholesterol by about 25 percent. Not only that, the same fibers found in oats can also lower your blood sugar levels. Fiber can do this by letting your body slow down its absorption of carbohydrates. If carbohydrates stay long enough in our system it is converted to sugar - the reason why many of us are overweight.
The regular bathroom trips that come from eating oats also helps stave off bloating. You go to the bathroom regularly - your system is clean, your metabolism keeps working.
Oats are such high-density foods that eating a cup can have you feeling full longer. Less cravings for fattier, less healthy fare.
Take note: Research shows children who eat oats daily are 50 percent less likely to be obese. So go ahead and indulge in healthy oats regularly if you want to lose weight.
Sure Ways To Lose Weight Fast
August 27, 2009 by Patsie
Filed under Diet Aids, Diet Pills, Diets, Exercise, Foods, Healthy Recipes, Nutrition
Losing weight fast has probably been on your mind at one time or another. Maybe there is a special event that you would like to lose weight for such as a wedding. You probably also already know that there are literally hundreds and hundreds of hyped up diets out there that claim they can help you lose weight fast.
Many of these diets are total scams, or they are dangerous, or a mixture or worse… both! The best way for you or anyone else for that matter to lose weight is to eat right, exercise, and do not stress over the little stuff. You can also try these few simple and easy tips to reach your goals a little quicker BUT safer:
First of all, you need to do a mental check. You need to make sure that your mind is set on losing the weight. You must tell your body and your mind that you cannot eat the junk food, sugar-laden snacks, and anything that contains saturated fat. Also you will need to train your mind that you are not allowed to cheat on the diet. You will also need plenty of discipline when it comes to losing weight fast. If you are serious, then you need to set your mind to it because it is your only choice besides Liposuction.
Next you will need to change your eating habits if you are truly serious about losing those extra pounds. You need to eat 5-6 small meals a day versus 3 big ones. These foods should consist of plenty of vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and fruits.
Your body will need all the fruits, proteins, and lean meat you can consume. Starvation is not the answer. Starvation will just lead to serious health issues - and slow down your metabolism in the long run. Once you get off a starvation diet the pounds will come back with a vengeance. And we all know starvation diets can never be sustained. Instead eat an extra serving of fruits and vegetables to get the weight off safely and quickly. This will provide your body with the extra fuel that it will need for your exercise and other daily activities that you perform.
Cardio exercises are another great way for you to lose the weight fast. You should try and push yourself to the limit at least once a day. There are a number of different ways that you are able to do this such as elliptical, swimming, running, or ride a bike among others. You must work up a sweat to be able to shed those pounds.
You can also try aerobics, weight lifting, and walking for other forms of not so strenuous workouts. No matter what type of exercise that you are performing the more sweat you can create the more weight you are going to lose.
It is not easy to lose weight fast but if you push yourself to the limits it can be done. You just need to set your mind to the “I can do it” frame of mind.
Weight Loss Without The Cost
August 26, 2009 by Patsie
Filed under Diet Aids, Diet Menus, Diets, Exercise, Foods, Healthy Recipes, Nutrition
I am sure you have seen the countless advertisements out there for one weight loss program or another and they are all promising weight loss in a matter of weeks.
These ads range from the simple every day diet programs to surgical procedures. I am sure you are also well aware of the one thing these diet plans and schemes have in common: the sky high cost.
Helping people lose weight and achieve an ideal body shape is a money making business today due to the massive demand. The gyms you may join, dieticians with hefty bills, and also the food that many of the programs suggest come with a hefty price tag.
But achieving effective, healthy weight loss is not that complicated, so there is no reason why you cannot achieve the same results from these diet programs on your own and save money while doing it. You just have to do some research and become well-informed.
Follow these simple pieces of advice and you should achieve weight loss without the cost:
Know the basics
If you want to make your own diet charts, as well as your very own exercise program, it is important that you know the science to healthy weight loss. While healthy weight loss is mainly about calorie intake it also entails the distribution of those various calories throughout the day. There are also certain conditions that you may have that may be a deterrent to your weight loss goals. In this case you will need to contact your doctor before you begin. There are several resources on the internet today such as calorie counters which can be downloaded for free and used for easy reference.
No gain without some pain
Starving should not be part of your weight loss program. Instead, you should practice restrictive eating. The amount of the restriction will depend on the extent of the foods that are in your diet and it will be something you need to maintain the rest of your life. You will have to give up certain foods however to reach your ideal weight goals. You know what to skip: high fat, high-processed, high sugar food.
Use it or lose it
If you are one of the many that looks at exercise as one of those unpleasant chores that you must do, you need to be able to develop a better attitude. There are certain exercises that you do every day without even knowing about them such as playing with your kids, beach workouts, and yes even sex are good forms and fun ways of burning off those excess calories. These are the activities that are not only good for toning your body but also gives you a high like no other illicit substance can do. As a result, you are not putting any harmful toxins into your body… but you are burning calories while getting an energy boost.
These are all great ways for you to shed those excess pounds and they are a lot cheaper than some of those paid programs that are available today. If you are trying to lose weight, but are on a tight budget, give these ideas a try.
8 Most Popular Diets Today
People are in a diet frenzy these days. They are constantly seeking the right diet to help them lose weight and gain back their health. There are currently eight popular diets that have worked effectively for many people and providing more options for dieting. Here they are:
1. The Atkins Diet focuses on controlling the levels of insulin in the body through the food consumed. It is based on the consumption of more proteins to reduce the levels of insulin in the bloodstream. This high protein diet leads to weight loss in many people.
2. The Zone Diet creates a nutritional balance with 40% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 30% protein. The focus is to control the insulin levels that will result in weight loss. The diet consists of unrefined carbohydrates and fats including nuts, olive oil, and avocado.
3. The Vegetarian Diet concentrates on eating non-animal foods - with the exception of eggs, honey, and dairy products. Vegetarians have a lower body weight; suffer from less diseases, and longer life spans, according to current studies. Since the meat products have been removed from the diet, vegetarians consume less fat according to the studies.
4. The Vegan Diet is more a philosophy and way of life since the concept of the diet is based more on environmental and ethical reasons versus health related issues. The Vegan diet does not include any animal-based products including eggs, honey, dairy, and meat products.
5. The Weight Watchers Diet focuses on weight loss, exercise, and a support network or group. Dieters have the ability of meeting in person with the groups or using online services for support. The diet reduces the types of foods consumed while increasing the levels of exercise.
6. The South Beach Diet focuses on the levels of insulin and refined carbohydrates in the diet. The foods consumed are low in fat as a method of controlling the insulin, which leads to weight loss and better health.
7. The Raw Food Diet involves eating food and drinks that are not processed but are only in their original form. Foods must be organic. There are four types of raw food dieters - raw vegetarians, raw vegans, raw omnivores, and raw carnivores. The belief of consuming the food in raw form is that the food does not have additives or extras that will cause health related issues including weight gain.
8. The Mediterranean Diet is a diet from Southern Europe that focuses on the eating habits of citizens of Crete, Greece, and southern Italy. The concentration is on a lot of plant foods, fresh fruits as dessert, beans, nuts, cereals, seeds, olive oil for the main source of dietary fats, cheese and yogurts for the main dairy foods, moderate levels of fish, consuming less than four eggs a week, limited amounts of the red meat, and limited amounts of wine. The Mediterranean Diet consists of fat with the saturated fat less than 8% of the caloric intake.
There are benefits for each type of diet. Depending on your personal lifestyle and preferences, you should find one of these diets that should work for you.
Top 5 Tips For Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss
Weight Loss to Keep Heart Disease Away
Never mind the vanity issue of being overweight. If you are packing extra pounds, the bigger issue is your health. When you are overweight, you are automatically at a higher risk for heart disease.
CAD also weakens the heart muscle and contributes to heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. Arrhythmia is having an abnormal, irregular heartbeat.
Heart failure also called cardiac failure and CHF or left-sided heart failure and right-sided heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. Heart failure is when the heart stops or is about to stop. The weakening of the heart’s pumps causes blood and fluid to backup into the lungs, fluid to buildup in the ankles, legs, and feet (this is called edema) and tiredness and shortness of breath.
The leading causes of heart failure are high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. The treatment for heart failure includes treating the cause of the heart failure, heart transplants, and medications.
The other types of heart diseases involve the valves in the heart where the heart has restricted pumping action leading to heart failure. Some people are born with this type of heart disease. In their case, genetics and inborn abnormalities are to blame for their heart problems.
But for most people, heart attack can be proactively avoided. It all boils down to how you take care of yourself. It is possible to reduce the risks of heart disease by taking steps to control the factors causing the risks. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol mitigates the risks leading to heart disease.
Guidelines for Choosing a Weight Loss Program
A great concern that many Americans face today is weight loss. It doesn’t take a lot of work to gain the weight but it takes a tremendous amount of work to lose. If you are like many American struggling with your weight, you are well aware of the various weight loss programs that are available on the market today. Choosing the right program can be tricky.
Before you begin any weight loss program, you need to be sure to check with your trusted doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to start a weight loss regimen. Doctors will also be generally able to give you advice on how you can cut down on your calories, eating a balanced diet, and how to remain physically active as well.
Your weight depends on a variety of different factors including your food intake, your age and overall general health, and your genetic makeup, among others. Your doctor can help asses your actual current physical state prior to starting a weight loss program.
When you are ready to begin your weight loss program, you will need to be aware of what types of food you can eat, how many calories you can take in each day, and how much physical activity that you will need to do.
You should not choose any program that does not offer a change in your overall eating habits or provide a list of physical activity for you to do. If the program promises that you don’t need to do a thing to lose weight, they’re not telling you the truth. Most likely they are just after your money and don’t really want to help you.
You should be aware that the Dietary Guidelines for America includes such things as five servings of fruits and vegetables, eating plenty of grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. If you begin to follow these guidelines you will be well on your way to a healthy diet and weight loss.
There is also certain information you will need gather about the weight loss programs you are considering:
* You need to make sure that the staff is well trained and have the proper credentials.
* If there is information included in the risks of using some of the products and services of the program in general.
* The overall cost of the program.
* How many people have completed the program.
* How much is the average weight lost for the company.
* Were these people successful at keeping the weight off for good?
You need to also be able to change your overall lifestyle and determine those factors that contributed to your weight gain. Knowing this, you can incorporate changes to improve your overall health and lose weight in the process.
You will also need to be aware of the risks that are sometime involved with major weight loss to make sure you keep healthy. After all, being healthy is more important than losing weight too fast and too soon.
Following all of these guidelines, you should successfully find the wight weight loss program for you.
Diabetes and Obesity Naturist Treatment
The diabetes obese naturist treatment that works best for losing weight and lowering blood sugar is controlled eating. Careful food choices combined with exercise is the best natural way to fight diabetes and obesity. A diabetes and obesity naturist treatment plan should include low-sugar and low-carb foods plus moderate exercise.
The way of eating that works best as a diabetes naturist treatment is actually quite simple. Some say that it’s more expensive, but if you compare your grocery bills before and after, there shouldn’t be much of a difference. Of course, this is only true if you are not buying lots of other processed foods for your family members.
The first thing to do in your new eating plan is to cut out most processed foods. Processed foods are any foods that have been processed far from their natural state. For example, a cake, pie or any type of baked product you buy ready made is highly processed.
Those types of foods are the worst kind for diabetes because not only are they processed and full of sugar, even their ingredients are processed. Flour is a processed food, made from wheat. You may not be able to eliminate all of it, but eliminating the obvious sources of flour can make a huge difference.
Baked goods like cakes, cookies, pies and breads are hard to give up. And you may not have to give up all of them for a diabetes obese naturist treatment. You can still enjoy certain baked goods occasionally that are made with whole grains and nut or soy flours instead of wheat flours. Sugar substitutes can make them taste good too.
If you can give them up altogether, your recovery rate will be even faster. Other processed foods like canned foods, boxed foods, frozen foods and pre-made meals should be severely restricted or eliminated for the best results.
Even in “healthy” pre-packaged foods you’ll find flour, hidden sugars and other ingredients that contribute to weight gain, diabetes and other conditions. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and high-fructose corn syrup are the biggest offenders. MSG is in almost every pre-packaged food, and the corn syrup is used in place of sugar because it’s cheaper.
Focus on vegetables that you cook yourself. Steam them or cook them in healthy olive oil, and add a small amount of fresh grated parmesan cheese. Add lots of seasonings and soon you won’t miss the butter, sour cream and other fattening additions.
Another part of a diabetes obese naturist treatment is to drink plenty of water. You shouldn’t force yourself to drink 80 oz a day if you’re not thirsty, but getting in 64 oz per day isn’t that hard if you choose water instead of soda or other caloric drinks.
Finally, start exercising, even if it’s just a short brisk walk three or four times a week. You can build up to the recommended amounts. The important thing in your diabetes obese naturist treatment is to start with small steps until you reach that big difference in your health and life.
Flat Abs Diet
First of all, make sure that you are getting enough fiber in your system. Fiber comes only from plant sources. You cannot get fiber from meat or fat. The best form of fiber for your flat abs diet comes directly from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Processing takes much of the fiber out of foods. For instance, a medium baked potato with skin has 3.8 grams of fiber. But, if you make scalloped potatoes from a box, you will get less than 1 gram. So, always go for the freshest, least processed alternative. You need at least 25 grams of fiber on a flat abs diet.
Next, you want to balance your carbs. You need carbohydrates for energy, so you don’t want to eliminate them as you would in diets like Atkins. However, you also do not want to have too much carb intake because that breaks down into glucose which further breaks down into fat. The ideal range of carbs is 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories.
Protein should make up between 15 and 20 percent of your calories. You need protein to build lean muscle mass. Also make sure that fats from all sources make up no more than 25 percent of your daily diet.
You should also drink plenty of water. Some people believe that if they drink a lot of water they will bloat. This is a mistake. You will lose all of the water you drink through perspiration and urination. However, the water will take with it the sodium in your body. The sodium is what actually causes you to bloat.
Speaking of which, if you want a good diet for abs, you have to limit the sodium. Most people need around 500 mg. of sodium a day for their bodies to function. The American Heart Association recommends that people place an absolute cap on sodium at 2400 mg. Yet, the majority of Americans get between 3000 and 6000 mg. a day. That’s just way too much. Part of the problem stems from shaking salt onto food. But, much of the problem comes from processed foods. Processed foods use salt for both taste and shelf stability. So again, be wary of processed foods.
Another thing to consider when doing a flat abs diet is reducing or eliminating “fizzy” drinks like soda. Pop and spritzers increase bloating because the carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles creates gas. This slows your stomach down from emptying.
Limit or eliminate your consumption of alcohol and caffeine as well. These are natural diuretics which increase fluid loss. They do not replace your body fluids as effectively as water or juice which are the preferred beverages on the flat abs diet.
The last tip I have for you is to try to reduce the stress in your life. Stress causes the hormone cortisol to act up. Cortisol causes fat deposits around the organs in your abdomen. Exercise is a great stress reliever, which has the added benefit of helping you to lose weight and tone muscles.
If you are trying to lose belly fat the best approach is to use the flat abs diet while engaging in regular exercise.
Use Exercise Plus Diet to Get Rid of Belly Fat
You wouldn’t believe how often I am asked: how can I lose all this belly fat? You would think it was a difficult problem, or something.
OK, enough with the kidding around. It really is pretty hard to get rid of abdominal excess fat, once it has developed. It isn’t hard to figure out what needs doing, it’s more a matter of finding the strength of will and determination to actually do it.
The best way to lose abdominal fat is to eat right and exercise regularly. No surprise there, right? And there’s a growing body of evidence pointing to a mix of weight training and aerobic exercise as the keys to burning off the fat from your belly. In other words, you need to work on developing your own so-called “six pack abs.”
Now, losing your store of embarassing belly fat is not the only reason to work on that 6-pack. A firm, flat stomach is the ultimate symbol of sex appeal. And researchers have also found that getting rid of abdominal fat is one of the most important things you can work on in order to stay healthy for life.
You probably realize that excess fat anywhere, and in general, is not good for your overall health. But you should also recognize that where the fat is distributed on your body is also key to your health. “Apple shaped” people who are fattest in their abdomen area actually run a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes than those with pear-shaped bodies (fattest in the hips, buttocks, and thighs).
For the best fat-burning program that targets abdominal fat and weight loss, check this out:
A recent study tracked 45 obese women for six months. The women were divided into three groups. The control group did no exercise. An aerobic exercise group worked out vigorously for an hour each day, six days a week. And a combo exercise group varied their training efforts, with weight training three days per week, alternating with aerobic exercise on the off days.
After 6 months, the women in the aerobic group had lost 22.3 cm of abdominal subcutaneous fat. Not bad… but look at this: the combined exercise group lost 59.8 cm, nearly three times as much as the aerobics-only team. The combined group also did better on the abdominal visceral fat measure with 92 cm lost vs. 81 cm for the aerobics group. There was no change in the control group.
So the most effective way to lose belly fat starts with a combined aerobics and core strength exercise plan that is strenuous. A casual 30 minutes or so, a couple or three times a week, just won’t cut it.
You really need to “go for it” with a full-body training program that combines cardiovascular and resistance exercises. You won’t necessarily want to follow the typical approach advocated by the “six pack abs” hype machine. You don’t need to do hundreds of crunches, sit ups or complicated routines. The key to losing belly fat is to burn more calories than you eat, and the typical six-pack routine may not burn the kind of calories you need in order to get the results you are after - lose belly fat.
The next step is to eat the right foods. There is a lot of conflicting information on nutrition. From the Atkins “no carbs” approach, to those who tell you to avoid fats, there are radicals and extremists on every side.
To lose belly fat safely, you need to take in enough protein in your diet to maintain muscle mass. And although you aim to reduce excess abdominal fat, you still need at least 20 to 30 percent of your calories to come from fats. As for carbohydrates, you want to balance your intake against the protein and fat, aiming for a caloric total determined by whether you want to lose weight or not. And if you are trying to lose belly fat, you do want to lose weight. You must take in fewer calories than you burn.
How do you lose belly fat? Basically, if you get rid of excess fat in your diet and in your body, your belly will go away too.