November 2007

Gain weight and muscle mass - are they related? 04-11-2007 10:53 am

If all the extra calories you may be consuming to gain weight just goes to your waist, you may be consuming the wrong foods. As one famous body builder says "feed the muscle, burn the fat".

That is true for body builders and those that are trying to lose weight. Ironically the same methods used by dieters can also be used by people trying to increase body weight.

Gaining weight and building muscle mass are closely related. The problem with exercise alone is that you burn a lot calories but not much fat. Sure working out helps you add muscle mass but you need to feed that muscle too. Many nutritionist and body builders recommend consuming a lot of protein before and after working out. This will help you keep and build up your muscle mass.

This may sound contradictory but those high protein nutritional shakes that people drink to lose weight have the opposite effect for people who already have a proper diet and exercise regularly.

If you are just adding inches to your waist and no where else your digestive system may not be working at top efficiency. If food isn't processed through the body quickly most of the nutrients in the food are not absorbed and leads to hunger and more eating. The problem is the fat in food has more opportunity to be absorbed into your body. Then it just hangs out in all the wrong places (i.e. love-handles, spare-tire and thunder-thighs). Read More (Permalink)

Water benefits for weight loss 05-11-2007 5:50 am

Water (H2O) is probably the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. One of the things we take most for granted, it plays a very important role in permanent weight loss. It aids in suppressing the appetite naturally and in metabolizing stored fat.

Studies show that a decrease in H2O intake may cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in H2O can actually reduce the fat deposits in the body. The kidneys do not function properly without enough water and when this occurs, some of their function is passed on to the liver. The liver works to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body, so if the liver has to help the kidneys, it cannot function effectively and consequently metabolize less fat. Thus, fat remains stored in the body and weight loss will stop.

People who are prone to fluid retention often think that reducing their fluid intake will help to remedy this problem. Actually the opposite occurs. The body perceives a lack of fluid as a threat to its survival so it attempts to hold on to every drop. Fluid is then stored in spaces outside the body�s cells, causing swollen feet, hands, and legs. The best way to overcome excess fluid retention is to give the body what it needs�plenty of H2O. Learn more... Read More (Permalink)

Overcoming hurdles to weight loss progress 09-11-2007 7:01 am

As you begin eating healthier, your body may need time to adjust to new amounts and types of foods. Most dieters don�t have any problems. They simply notice how much better they feel. But, as with any weight loss plan, you may encounter an occasional bump in the road. These are some common problems experienced by any dieter and solutions.

Energy Sometimes when you�re on a diet, you may feel more tired as yourbody adjusts to less calories. Solution: Eat every meal on time. Don�t skip meals, be sure you are following your program as planned and get plenty of rest. If you need extra energy, try herbal energy boosters like Green Tea.

Digestive Upset Do you experience mild indigestion, gasiness or bloating? Solution: Internal cleansing can support healthy elimination also help your digestive system. Try adding more fiber to your diet, this should improve your intestinal activity.

Hunger Occasionally, you may feel more hungry. Are you really hungry or just craving certain foods? Are you eating the right amount of protein for your body�s needs? Solution: Be sure you are getting your recommended daily requirements for protein. Protein is a fantastic hunger buster try adding protein rich snacks in between meals to help curb your appetite.

Regularity Do you have a change in your digestive functions? Is the problem constipation? Solution: If taking some fiber each day does not solve constipation problems, try a herbal cleansing program with aloe vera extract in it. Aloe provides healthy nutrients and enzymes that support regular elimination.

Learn more... Read More (Permalink)

Aloe Vera Facts | Many Benefits 11-11-2007 9:08 am

The Aloe Vera plant has many complimentary nick names, "the burn plant," "the silent healer" and "the miracle plant." The most commonly used variety is Aloe Barbadensis.

The medicinal properties of the plant have been known, and recorded since ancient times. It has been used for a variety of skin ailments, as an ointment, as an ingredient in various beauty preparations and the treatment of many internal ailments.

Known for its many healing properties, it can be used topically or internally as a juice, as a soothing agent for discomfort or as a digestive system cleanser and can even help with hair loss prevention.

Internal Health: Aloe Vera is known to contain 27 natural and beneficial substances including, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. Plus, it has been shown to help repair or improve digestive system and internal organs, thus making nutrient absorption easier and more beneficial.

Improved nutrient absorption one can eat less and burn more energy while retaining the necessary nutrients the body needs. Aloe has been used internally for decades as a calming agent for upset stomachs, digestive system cleansing and has shown to be very beneficial in the treatment of stomach ulcers. There are so many uses of aloe, that it truly is the wonder plant. Read More (Permalink)

How to Eat, Drink and be Merry, without gaining weight. 15-11-2007 9:42 am

Family dinner - let's eat! We can lose the weight later.

Once again tis the time of year to eat, drink and be merry. The holidays are here and everyone is cooking up a storm or headed over to grandma's for her famous turkey dinner. It sure seems easy to gain a lot of weight during the holidays. And wouldn't it be nice if we could get away with eating all that food and not gaining those extra pounds.

Well, I'm not going to say that is easy, but here are some tips you can do to keep from eating too much of the stuffing, and saving room for mom's apple pie. They can help keep you from overeating and still eat what you like. Read Full Article (Permalink)

Help for snacking | Solutions for cravings 16-11-2007 9:29 am

It's in there - the hours in between meals represent the biggest temptation for snacking. For many dieters this is reason their weight loss programs fail. Here are some of the ingredients that help, and why they are good for you and your craving control. Okay...Let's Begin:

A glass of water is the easiest way to curb snacking cravings. When you feel like having a cookie or a candy bar try having a glass of water instead. But if that isn't enough to control your snacking, here are some foodstuffs that help control the craving. Gum from Acacia Tree

Used as a thickener for candy and gum.

Retards sugar from crystallizing.

Prevents Chemical breakdown in foods

.
Craving solution: Gum or candy solved.
Gymnena Sylvestre Extract, Dried (leaves).

Is helpful in diabetics by controlling insulin output.

Inhibits absorption of glucose or sugars in humans

Can be helpful in constipation

May be helpful in stomach problems

Craving solution: Stomach problems solved.

Calcium Carbonate

Maintains regular heartbeat

Helps to form strong bones and teeth.

Has been shown to prevent cramps.

Craving Solution: Blood and bones solved.

Chromium Polynicotinate

Promotes the bodies metabolism of fats and sugars

Synthesizes cholesterol, fats and proteins.

Helps produce energy.

Craving Solution: Metabolism boost solved. Read More (Permalink)

Need an energy boost, drink green tea. 20-11-2007 9:04 am

Green tea has many health benefits including powerful antioxidants that fight free radical damage. Even better is green tea boosts metabolism, and has a natural thermogenic properties. One property is in EGCG Catechins known to prohibit fat storage by preventing fat oxidation.

Scientists believed that catechin flavonoids may alter the body's use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter in the nervous system, to increase the rate of calorie burning. They concluded, Green Tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se.

The Green Tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both. Making Green Tea excellent for giving you and energy boost and promoting weight loss.

A study led by Dr. Dulloo at the University of Geneva concluded that men drinking green tea had a significant increase in energy expenditure, and a decreased respiration quotient over a 24 hour period. In other words the study showed that these men had a higher resting metabolic rate and burned more calories than normal. Read More (Permalink)

Absorb less fat and increase fiber intake. 21-11-2007 9:56 am

Fruits and vegetables alone may not be enough fiber.

For centuries, people from all cultures have known the benefits of high-fiber nutrition for internal cleansing and well-being. Once referred to as roughage and readily available in the average diet, fiber often is missing in today�s over-processed foods that are high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates.

A lack of dietary fiber increases the risk of developing constipation and gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and colon cancer.

Fiber works by speeding up the time it takes food to pass through the large intestine, reducing the absorption of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. It also modifies the metabolism of foods, binds waste products for elimination and counters the effects of toxic bacteria in the colon.

Dietary fiber is helpful for those who want to lose weight, since fiber absorbs water so you feel full and satisfied throughout the day. Adding fiber to your diet can help improve your eating habits, which can lead to weight loss and more energy!

Healthy diet alone may not have enough fiber to meet your daily needs. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, adults who eat at least 23 grams of fiber a day are less likely to gain weight over the long term than those who don�t regularly consume this amount. The study also revealed that fiber eaters also have lower insulin levels, which could help lower the risk of obesity. Supplementing your fiber intake can help ensure your body is getting enough fiber. Read More (Permalink)

Start your weight loss program with breakfast! 26-11-2007 10:30 am

Have a nutritional shake to get your day going

Every weight loss program needs to start somewhere. The question is where? Breakfast is the answer. One day you may say to yourself "today is the day I start to lose weight".

So, that's me. Today I decided to set a new goal of a 10 pound weight loss in a month. Not too lofty a goal, should be easy, right? Jusy consume less calories than I burn and voila weight loss.

OK, I have the motivation and the goal and now I need a starting place. I chose breakfast. Usually I skip it and just take vitamins and supplements and go. Which is not real condusive to losing weight. When you skip breakfast your body does not have the fuel it should to get you going. Then a little later on you will start to feel hungry.

So, you eat a mid-morning snack to start the engines running. Which it does but then lunch comes and you eat again. Nothing wrong with this picture, right?

Wrong! This pattern leads your body to believe that your metabolism won't get going till mid morning. So you end up eating that late night snack. Why, you ask. Because your metabolism wants you to store enough energy for the skipped breakfast the next day.

Your metabolism goes up and down during the day. Depending on how much activity and how much fuel you have to burn, your metabolism keeps pace accordingly. Eating when your tired or hungry is the way to do it, right?... Read More (Permalink)

The Importance of Water 30-11-2007 10:17 am

Julie before and after a successful weight loss program.

You may hear someone say "water and me don't get along, the more I drink the more it stays on my body." This myth can not be further from the truth than could be possible. I stated in an earlier blog that your body stores water to prevent dehydration and is a major reason why you may be retaining water weight. Additionally water is neccessary to burn off the stored fat.

As incredible as if may seem, water is very important to your body for losing weight and keeping it off. Water can prevent fatigue, hydrates your body, and helps the body metabolize stored fat. The Kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When the Kidneys can't function properly, they deposit everything into the Liver.

The Liver's function is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy. If the Liver is doing some of the Kidney's work, then it is not working at 100% capacity and more stored fat stays as stored fat. More often than not, when you feel tired, it is because your body is dehydrated, not food-starved. It is also important to replenish when you exercise.

However drinking tea or coffee with caffeine acts on your kidneys causing more urine to flow so they do not count towards your water intake because tea and coffee cause your kidneys to excrete more water than they contain. RULE: Drink (8) 8 oz glasses of water per day minimum. Please give your body what it needs to shed stored fat. WATER!!!

Update: I'm now in day 5 of my weight loss goal of 10 pounds this month. I weighed and measured myself on Day 2 and again this morning. So far I've lost 1/2 inch around my belly and 1 pound. I am encouraged by these numbers because while not fabulous they are positive. More on this in my next blog. Where I will let you know: how I am doing the weight loss program, why it works and what the numbers mean. See you soon. Read More (Permalink)

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