Tag Archives: weight loss

Making Fish Oil Twice as Effective for Weight Loss

18 May

Oh No! Summer is coming and bating suit season is just about here.  What do we do with those extra stubborn pounds that we cannot seem to lose?  Taking fish oil as well as making minor adjustments…yes I said MINOR, to your menu can help you shed those pounds before D-DAY.  Many people tell you that taking fish oil capsules everyday can help improve a variety of health issues and prevent certain diseases from occurring.  However, is your fish oil enough to accomplish all of that?  After doing a bunch of research from a variety of resources I came upon something that can actually help enhance the effects of fish oil making it more effective.  By combining high dose fish oil supplements with the Zone Diet can help you see results twice as fast, both in improving overall health as well as losing weight.  Keep in mind that fish oil does have a blood thinning effect, so check with your doctor before taking high doses.

1.  Replace Omega-6 Fats with Monosaturated Fats.  Instead of eating corn, soybean, sunflower and safflower oils, have extra virgin olive and sesame oils, nuts, seeds, nut butters and avocados.  The switch of simply changing your fats greatly reduces the bodys ability to create fat by depriving the toxic fat of its basic building blocks – omega-6 fats. Weight loss could be kick started in as little as three days!

2.  Reach for low-glycemic foods.  High glycemic foods increase insulin by the body which causes weight gain.  Reducing your high glycemic food carbs and starchy veggies such as corn, potatoes and peas, can cut insulin by up to 22%.  Thats been proven to help women in particular lose 10 pounds in 14 days!

3.  Include protein in every meal.  By doing so will increase the release of pancreatic polypepide, a hormone that promotes a feeling of fullness.  Protein rich foods stimulate the pancreas to release a hormone that encourages the burning of stored fat for energy.  A great way t burn calories without being on a restricted diet.

Some people feel overwhelmed when they think of “dieting” or having to change the way they eat in order to lose the weight.  Well below is a sample menu of what you may want to incorporate into your menu to help kick start the process.

Sample Day to Slimdown

Breakfast - Try scrambled eggs made with 2 eggs and 4 egg whites or 1/2 Cup egg substitute, 3/4 tsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. milk (can use non-fat).  3 strips of turkey bacon, 1/2 slice of rye toast with 1 tsp. natural peanut butter, 1 Cup of grapes.

Lunch – 1 halved whole wheat mini pita topped with tomato sauce, 3 oz. lean ground beef sauteed with bell peppers and onions, and 1 oz. low fat cheese (broil until melted), side of lettuce and fresh veggies with olive oil and vinegar.

Snack - 1oz. part skim mozzarella string cheese, 1/2 apple with 1/2 tsp natural peanut butter.

Dinner – 3oz. chicken cutlet with 1/2 Cup of salsa, 3 Tbs. guacamole and sprinkle low fat cheese, 1 1/2 Cups green beans and 1 Cup of berries.

Snack – 4oz. wine, 1oz. cheese

Add to Technorati Favorites AddThis Feed Button

Closer Look At The Buffet Table

29 Oct

buffetWeight loss is something almost every one of my friends talks about.  People are always trying to diet, or trying to lose weight.  Whether its 40 pounds or 4 pounds, people are always “watching” what they eat.

According to a study, 213 people were observed at an all you can eat Chinese buffet by trained researchers.  The research showed some fairly interesting results.  Diners who were visibly overweight ot obese were more likely than normal-weight diners to:

  • Serve themselves immediately, rather then browse the buffet first
  • Choose a large plate over a smaller one
  • Sit facing the buffet
  • Use a fork rather then chopsticks
  • Sit without a napkin on their laps

What to do if you are at a buffet such as this and trying to watch your weight? Use a small plate, so you take smaller portions.  Use chopsticks so you slow down while you are eating.  You also pay more attention to the amount of food you are consuming.  Don’t sit facing the buffet, so the food isn’t always “in your face” having you thinking about what to eat next.  Take your time and look around the buffet and go for the food that most appeals to you, not just what’s at hand.  Use your napkin, this way its one more thing you have to do before getting back up to grab another serving, which may in fact act as a deterrent. :)

Add to Technorati Favorites AddThis Feed Button

Fruits Flush Fat

8 Sep

Did you know that by eating fruit you can actually flush away the fat?  Well you can.  Eating certain foods help to turbo charge the weight loss.  Certain fruits are Low Energy Density which means that they contain more water, fiber and enzymes then others.  These fruits help aid in weight loss.  Fruits density rating should be between 0 and .6.  Some fruits with their energy density rating are listed below.  By eating these fruits you can help your body eliminate fat.

Strawberries       .2
Raspberries       .3
Watermelon       .3
Grapefruit         .3
Cantaloupe       .4
Honeydew        .4
Papaya             .4
Peaches           .4
Tangerines .4
Apricots .5
Pineapple .5
Oranges .6
Plums .6
Blueberries .6
Apples .6

Ripe fruit is rich in nonfluorescent chlorophyll catabolites which are super extra anti-oxidents.  They eliminate free radicals that can cause all types of illness in the body.  Studies suggest that vine ripened fruit has twice as many metabolism revving carotenoids then fruit thats picked when its green.  The longer the fruit is on the vine the more nutrients it picks up from the soil.  Best bets are buying local produce from farmers markets that have been vine ripened to help aid in the weight loss battle.

Add to Technorati Favorites AddThis Feed Button

Top Three Reasons Why You Should Eat Slowly

28 Aug

Attacking that sandwich, pasta, salad or chips as fast as you can may seem like the best idea when you’re hungry. But take heed, eating slowly will benefit you in ways that you’ll like and in more ways than one.

1. Better Digestion. Eating slowly means you’re chewing and breaking the food better, which results to better digestion. It’s best to chew thoroughly to give ample time to your stomach to prepare.

2. Weight Loss. Studies show that eating slowly means consuming much fewer calories. You can even lose almost 20 pounds a year just by eating slowly and without doing anything different! Eating slowly also makes you feel a lot fuller in no time. So if you’re on a diet and want to lose weight, better incorporate eating slowly into your lifestyle.

3. Enjoyment and Choosing Better Food. Do you know that most factory-produced foods are designed to taste great for the first three bites only? If you chew slowly, you’ll notice that the food begins to taste bland and ordinary after the three bites. Eating slowly gives you the chance to really taste the food and at the same time reach out for better options because natural foods like fruits and salads taste good even after three bites. Overall, you’ll have a better and more satisfying dining experience instead of feeling all sluggish and heavy after a meal.

Image from this site.

Add to Technorati Favorites AddThis Feed Button

What to Consider when Buying a Bathroom Scale

20 Jul

image Anytime you decide to go on a diet the bathroom scale becomes your best friend. You visit it often during the day to check for any changes or discrepancies in what you think you should be weighing. When deciding on what type will work best for you here are a few tips:

  • Clean Concise numbers – The scale you choose should have numbers you can easily read.
  • Accuracy – One of the most important things to keep in mind is accuracy of the scale. You want a scale that will give you the most accurate read out possible.
  • Bonus Features – if you want any extras keep that in mind when looking for scale. Digital Voice, Body fat measure, Glass, Compact design; these are all extra features that may interest you
  • Do your research – Use the internet to find out the reviews of different scales that you are interested in. You can also ask a fitness expert which one would be best for you.
  • Weight Range – Always make sure that your starting weight is listed on the scale.

A bathroom scale is a needed part of your diet routine if you are looking to really keep track of your losses. Don’t just opt for the cheapest, get the one that fits your needs.

Add to Technorati Favorites AddThis Feed Button

Belly Dancing

13 Jul

One of the things I’ve always wanted to try out was Belly Dancing, but somehow I never had the time. This art of dance has always intrigued me because it looked almost exotic and very graceful and feminine. In addition, I heard that it could also benefit the body and health in more ways than one. Here are just some of the supposed benefits of Belly Dancing that I’ve gathered:

1. It can improve posture and build the back muscles evenly. This is something I (and perhaps many people) especially need because I tend to hunch at times.

2. It tones the overall body. When we are in static positions most of the day, especially when we have a lot of work, we don’t use our muscles as much as they need to be used. Hence, they can become flabby or weak. Belly dancing is a lovely form of exercise that can tone our muscles in our enjoyable way.

3. It can reduce stress! To many people, belly dancing is a great stress reliever and one exercise that allows them to let go and be free of the negative thoughts for the whole session.

4. It can aid weight loss. More than anything, belly dancing is an exercise that burns the extra calories we have eaten within the day. No wonder more and more gyms are offering belly dancing classes.

What do you know about belly dancing? :)

Image from this site.

AddThis Social<br /> Bookmark Button Add to<br /> Technorati Favorites

How to Prevent an Ankle Sprain

2 Jul

The ankle is the most common area that is sprained. An ankle sprain occurs when an unnatural twisting motion happens at the ankle joint. Common signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain include bruising, swelling, and inability or difficulty to move or walk.

Ankle sprains damage the ligament that connects the bones in the foot, ankle and lower leg. The damage to the ligament often varies and is classified into three grades:

Grade I – there is slight tearing and swelling of the ligament. The ankle feels stable though and usually you can still walk with a Grade I sprain.

Grade II – there is a slightly larger tear accompanied with pain and bruising. The ankle can still feel stable but walking and touching the damaged areas is painful.

Grade III – there is complete tear of affected ligaments and the ankle is unstable. Walking is often impossible because there is intense pain, especially during the first moments of tear.

Ankle sprains can hamper you from finishing your daily routines. To avoid ankle sprains, here are some things you can do:

1. Maintain your weight. Heavier people are more prone to ankle sprains because they tend to put much more weight on the feet and leg part and there is also less balance.

2. Exercise. Regular exercise makes your body a lot more mobile and flexible, lessening the risk of muscle tearing and sprains.

3. Warm up before playing sports. It is important to condition the body before going into extremely fast movement, such as when playing sports.

4. Wear only proper-fitting shoes. Wearing too tight or too loose shoes can affect your walking and cause you to slip or fall and thereby acquire a sprain. Make sure the shoes you wear are all comfortable and properly fitted to your feet.

5. Don’t play sports, exercise or move fast when your body is tired. When we are tired, our muscles tend to be more taut or bent and moving fast causes them to perform more than they are capable to during the moment.

6. Be careful when lifting heavy objects. It is better to ask for help when lifting or moving heavy objects than carry everything alone because doing it alone can cause you to lose balance and have an ankle sprain. In addition, constant lifting of heavy objects may damage or weaken your back, spine, and other body parts in the long run.

Image from this site.

AddThis Social<br /> Bookmark Button Add to<br /> Technorati Favorites

Heat and Health

1 Jun

Last week I went to a gym to meet my friend who’s a member there. When I arrived, my friend told me that for that day, members’ guests could have free use of the sauna and some other facilities and so she asked if I wanted to avail.

Since I didn’t feel like sweating because I had no extra clothes with me, I declined. But had I known earlier, I probably would have tried the sauna and see what is there to it. I’ve never been to a sauna and have always wondered why a lot of people love going to one to envelope their selves in the heat treatment. I researched for actual health benefits and the following are just some of what they say to be the perks of going to a sauna.

Toxin Remover

 

The excessive sweating brought about by the sauna opens skin pores and allows the excretion of body toxins, body wastes and other impurities from the blood. Because of the intensely high temperature, we release and detoxify our skins in a more intense way than normal, everyday sweating.

Skin Invigorator

The high temperature of the sauna increases out heart rates and consequently, our blood flow. Increase in blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach our skin, allowing it to be rejuvenated and be healed faster from certain skin conditions like wounds and acne.

Stress Reliever

Many people go to saunas to relieve of some stress, as this is one of the main benefits of saunas that people do claim. Some critics say that this is the one and only real benefit of going to the sauna. Regardless, sauna promotes stress relief by releasing stress-inducing chemicals and toxins from the body through sweating.

Weight Reducer

When we exercise, our heart rates rise and our metabolisms increase, which can lead to weight loss upon regular doing. Because saunas increase our heart rates, many claim that regular trips to the sauna can also help us lose weight in the same way it burns some of the unwanted fat.

Of course, not everyone can go to the sauna. Experts advise pregnant women and people with heart or blood pressure complications to stay away from saunas because the intense heat may complicate their conditions. It would also help to drink several glasses of water before entering a sauna to avoid being dehydrated. Lastly, refrain from staying for more than 20 minutes.

Image from this site.

 

AddThis Social<br /> Bookmark Button Add to<br /> Technorati Favorites

3 Simple Things to Lose Weight

29 May

I am sure these are not things that are going to sound brand new to you. But if you follow this simple 3 step plan, you are bound to lose weight and gain a bunch of energy.  Of course add the exercise into this anytime you can.

  1. Get enough rest. Lacking in sleep can increase your chance of being overweight. How you ask? Well your brain craves dopamine and serotonin. These two naturally occurring chemicals in our bodies come from sleep. When we do not get the right amount of sleep at night, our bodies and brain still crave it. So we seek other sources to quelch the craving, mainly in searching out sugary foods. Sugary foods equal weight gain.  Sugary foods give us an instant high, and a faster low.  That low makes us tired shortly after eating the sugar and then we sleep.  By sleeping, our bodies do not have the time to metabolize the food we ate, causing the food we ate to turn into fat.  So yes, its a catch 22!  The answer: Tuck yourself in earlier at night and go to sleep!
  2. Keep busy.  By keeping busy, especially our hands, we do not eat on the junk that so often entices us.  Now, that’s not to say that endless hours on your butt at the computer are good for your waistline, but when you keep your hands and brain occupied, you’re not reaching for something to eat. You’re probably not even thinking about food. So the next time you start to open the fridge door, turn on the computer or pick up your knitting instead.
  3. Less choices. Having too much variety as options for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even snacktime makes gaining weight a heck of a lot easier.  Try picking one meal a day and eat the same exact thing everyday for that meal.  Make sure the meal is on the healthy side, like a salad with a piece of grilled chicken on it for lunch.  Having less choices, helps you think less about food, and makes it easier to control your appetite.

I hope these tips help you on your dieting journey.  Share some other suggestions with us.
Add to<br /> Technorati Favorites AddThis Social<br /> Bookmark Button

Swim and Heal

29 May

Much has been said about the good things our body can get from swimming, as the seemingly innocent gliding and moving in the water is supposed to be a total body workout. Since the actual benefits of swimming are still a bit vague to me, I looked for more specific answers to why it’s good for us in more ways than one. Check out what I found:

1. It strengthens the heart, lungs and muscles.

Swimming conditions all body types, from the perfectly normal ones to those plagued with alarming conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis. In fact, doctors often recommend swimming as an activity to those recovering from a major surgery or heart operation because it is a not too taxing yet effective workout. Regular swimming also builds lung stamina and muscle strength without straining connective tissues like other workout activities could.

2. It’s a great calorie-burner.

Swimming uses all the major muscle groups in the body, which makes it a great weight loss workout and body toner. This is why many swimmers often have toned arms, legs, and tummy, which is one of the major fat problem areas of everyone.

3. It’s the perfect stress reliever.

Swimming is a meditative workout because it deals with not just the body but also the mental state. Exercising while enveloped in warm water induces a calm and relaxing feeling that not only reduces stress, it also help clear one’s mind as it improves delivery of oxygen to all muscles and stimulates blood circulation.

4. It works wonders in pregnant women.

Expectant women are often forbidden to do any moderate to heavy physical activity, but swimming is one of those activities that can actually aid them in their condition. For one, it strengthens the abdominal muscles that are very important when carrying and delivering the baby. Experts say that swimming also reduces the common negative symptoms associated with pregnancy, like high blood pressure and stiffness.

5. It’s a perfect bonding activity.

Now we all know about this one. Swimming is one of the best and healthiest activities we can do to bond and enjoy with our families and friends. The great thing about swimming as a bonding activity is that you can choose to talk and interact with people yet you can also swim off anytime and do your routines and beneficial exercises whenever you want.

Care to share more swimming perks?

Image from this site.

AddThis Social<br /> Bookmark Button Add to<br /> Technorati Favorites

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 64 other followers