Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Tips’ Category

12 Day Grapefruit Diet Is It What I have Been Looking for

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

12 Day Grapefruit Diet Is It What I have Been Looking for

The 12 day grapefruit diet is not a new concept. The original plan was developed in the 1930’s. This fruit appears to be a dieter’s dream. It has no fat, is high in fiber and low in calories. It also carries benefits for your skin as it is high in vitamin C.

So how does this diet work? It’s very simple. You eat half a grapefruit before every meal. The enzyme it contains reduces your appetite so you consume fewer calories. It also speeds up the fat burning process helping you to shed pounds. Everyone knows that if you use more energy than you take in from the food you eat, you will lose weight. Some studies suggest that you could lose up to ten pounds in less than two weeks simply by introducing this change. Personally, I believe you would have a better chance of success if you also cut your portion sizes, ate four or five smaller meals rather than three large ones.And took more exercise.

It is completely pointless thinking that one simple change in your lifestyle is going to result in a big weight loss. You need to review all areas of your life. Do you eat food because you are bored? Upset? Do you get enough exercise? Most Americans are not active enough. You don’t suddenly need to become a gym fanatic but a little extra activity every day will help. I am sure you can think of a million ways to add some movement to your sedentary lifestyle. You could take the stairs instead of the lift; get off the metro one stop early, walk to the store etc.

In the same way, you can make progress by implementing simple changes at mealtimes. Instead of frying your food which only adds extra calories, try grilling, baking or steaming. Learn how to cook rather than relying on prepackaged meals that add dollars to your bills as well as pounds to your waistline. Use herbs and spices to flavor your meals rather than salt to help prevent fluid retention.

Eat more fruit and vegetables. They are high in fiber, low in calories and very filling. Your skin will glow from all the extra vitamins and minerals you are consuming. Don’t eat carbohydrates after 5pm in the evening as your body will not have sufficient time to use up all the energy they release. The body converts excess energy into fat.

Eat protein but chose the leaner cuts of meat and forget about sausages and other processed foods for now. Don’t exclude all treats but go for quality rather than quantity. Stop eating when you are full and not when your plate is empty.

Don’t mistake being thirsty for feeling hungry. And stop ingesting hidden calories via flavored waters, fizzy pop and perhaps the biggest culprit of all, alcohol.

You can shrink your waistline by using the 12 day grapefruit diet. but only if you combine it with a healthy eating and exercise program.

5 Day Diet Like Magic Your Slim And Trim

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

5 Day Diet Like Magic Your Slim And Trim

With all the diet plans, advice, and supplements on the market nowadays, it can be virtually impossible to figure out what works and what is all hype. One option that has gotten a lot of buzz lately is the 5 day diet. This diet will provide you with very quick results, which is pretty much required in our society these days. The idea behind this program is that it will give people a kick start on their diet. If they are able to see results quickly it may give them more of a push to continue on and lose all the weight they need to lose.

This diet is very restrictive, it has to be if you are going to lose weight in just 5 days! Here is an idea of what it’s all about:

1. Right after you get up in the morning, don’t wait longer than 30 minutes, eat a small amount of a starchy food like toast or eggs.

2. Eat lunch no later than 1 p.m. Include some lean protein like beans or a steak and a lot of vegetables. A mix of vegetables is the best way to go.

3. Dinner must be eaten before 8p.m. and should be the same things you had for lunch.

4. Snacks will be any type of ‘hard’ vegetable. Things like carrots, or celery are good choices. These will slowly release sugar over a period of time which will keep your metabolism boosted.

There are many opinions as to whether or not this type of diet actually works. Most of us know that if we want to lose weight we can’t starve our bodies since that will only send it into ’starvation mode’ and slow the metabolism way down.

When you take this fact into account it sounds like this diet won’t work, and many people say that is the case. Any weight you lose will only be water weight and the weight loss won’t be permanent.

That may not be a problem if you just want to lose a few pounds so that you look great in that new dress you just bought. For a quick weight loss a few pounds of water weight may be all you are looking to accomplish.

Another way of looking at it is even if you have a lot of weight to lose, it might still help you get some much needed motivation by losing weight in just 5 days. If you can accomplish that it might make your longer term goal to lose, 20,50,or even 100lbs seem more achievable and might just be the kick start you need.

Others will say that if you cycle this extremely restrictive eating plan with a more reasonable plan you can actually ‘trick’ your metabolism into burning hot the whole time.

Your body will take time to react to the restricted calorie intake. If you only do it for 5 days and then immediately go back to a more normal caloric intake you may be able to prevent it from going into starvation mode in the first place.

No matter what approach you choose for losing weight, whether it’s the 5 day diet or something else, just remember that permanent weight loss is achievable and it will make your health, and life, better and more fulfilling.

What Role Does Sugar And Salt Portray In A Healthy Diet

Monday, July 26th, 2010

What Role Does Sugar And Salt Portray In A Healthy Diet

It is only natural to like sweets. Many people have become used to having something sweet daily as part of their standard food consumption. Yet too many sweets in the diet can lead to weight gain and health risks. The fact the sweets contain refined sugars add to the complications in the diet.

Refined sugars have negative health effects including hypoglycemia, arthritis, diabetes, headaches, suppression of the immune system, osteoporosis, and depression. It also is stored as fat within the body increasing the weight of the individuals that consume it.

Replace the sweets containing the refined sugar with natural sweets such as fruits. Using the natural sweets to satisfy the sweet cravings will lead to weight loss and better health. Add grains and beans to the fruits to increase the natural goodness of the fruit. The natural sugar in the fruits provides the right kind of energy as well as essential fibers and nutrients.

Avoid consuming sugary drinks such as tea, coffee, and sodas. The average person will drink at least two servings of the beverages a day with the drinks containing about 10 teaspoons of sugar in each drink. The artificial sweeteners, used in the beverages, have been shown to interfere with the body’s natural ability to function properly; so even this type of sweetener is not good for a person. Instead of consuming the sweetened beverages, drink natural fruit juices, or water with a squeeze of lemon added as the sweetener.

Salt or sodium is another bad ingredient many people have in their diets. The issues with salt are that many people, highly over use it daily. They do not realize that they consume over 2,300 mg per day of the highly dangerous additive. Most of the foods consumed contain added sodium with processed, packaged, fast food, and restaurant foods. Even the canned soups and frozen meals have added sodium.

Sodium leads to weight gain, heart disease, and health issues related to the added chemical in the body and bloodstream. Sodium makes people retain water leading to the bloating of the body. It also tends to make people feel thirsty constantly, so when even consuming fluids, often times their thirst is not quenched.

Salt is not bad when used in moderation. There are high quality sea salts that have up to 90 minerals that are healthy for the body. Use sea salt that is either reddish or brownish in color or even the non-colored salt for the best type of salt to add to the diet. These types of salts do not have additives, chemicals, and are not bleached.

Your body does require a certain amount of sodium and natural sweeteners, in order to function properly. You should reduce the extra amounts you consume, to create a healthier life style and body. It is also important for you check with you doctor, prior to making major changes to your diet, in order to determine if it could affect your overall health adversily.