Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts

What Is the Mediterranean Diet About


One of the most popular diets over the past twelve to fifteen years has been the Mediterranean diet.  This diet has definitely survived the label of “fad,” as it is still around and even growing in popularity, and “gimmick” is not a very accurate term since the Mediterranean diet is a full sized program that does not cheat you of any food group, but simply makes wiser choices in each category of the food pyramid.  Getting a precise, specific definition of the Mediterranean diet is a little difficult because the term Mediterranean keeps it from applying to just one country.  The Mediterranean diet still refers to the general traditional diets from the people living in the 1960's in countries like Greece, and Southern Italy.

The reason these nations in particular were being studied was because of the really noticeably low incidence of chronic diseases, not to mention the consistently amazingly high life-expectancy rates among the groups that stayed with this traditional diet.  What is even more amazing when nutritionists realized that the traditional Mediterranean diet receives as much as 40% of all its calories from fat.  Despite this, heart attacks were much rarer in this population than in about any other.

Part of the reason for this is olive oil.  Olive oil is a “monosaturated fatty acid,” which means that it does not have the same cholesterol-raising effect of saturated fats.  Olive oil is also a good source of antioxidants.  Eating fish a few times per week benefits the Mediterranean people by increasing the amount of "Omega-3 fatty acids," which is something that no other developed European society got enough of.  The other part of the Mediterranean diet is that they eat far less red meat, but more grains, fruits, legumes, vegetables, and olive oil.  This makes their diet much healthier than any North American or other European diet.

This diet is rich in healthy fats from fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds, and there are an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, too.  This diet is a rich source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, a combination which can help improve cholesterol levels and protect heart health.  If you decide to pursue this diet, you can expect to eat a lot of yogurt with fruit and nuts, Pasta salad and fruit, fish with roast vegetables, Crackers and hummus, and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  

The result of this is that you will increase your essential fatty acids with plenty of fish and healthy fats, lower your intake of red meat and processed foods, and improve cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease.  Not a bad deal, huh?  This is a diet that continues to be popular because it still allows for meat, pasta, taste, but it will lead you to a longer and healthier life.  This is one proven diet that is here to stay.
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The Mediterranean Diet


Is there a painless way to lower cholesterol and lose weight? Can you eat your way there? Oh sure, you might say; but wait, consider the merits of the Mediterranean Diet. Virgin olive oil may be the perfect replacement for butter and margarine.

The Mediterranean Diet: What the Greeks Know about healthy cuisine

“If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.” -- Elbert Hubbard.

There are so many approaches to optimum wellness. Infomercials tell us about a variety of diet plans from pills and native plants to the benefits of liquid diets over conventional weight loss methods. What should you believe?

One of the clarion calls of caution is the old adage, “If it’s too good to be true - it probably is.”

The Mediterranean Diet relies solely on age old wisdom. Present research verification demonstrates that one man’s daily meal is another man’s trip to optimum wellness. 

In Greece, certain symptoms of heart disease are among the lowest in the world. It would seem that the largest body of current scientific research indicates that a diet high in fruits and veggies along with routine consumption of whole grains, legumes, fish, low fat dairy products, olive oil and nuts provide long term and protective health benefits.

With the Mediterranean diet you will find that optimal health is even more important than the accompanying weight loss. What native Greek’s have intuitively known for centuries has now been linked to scientific data that shows adherence to common Mediterranean diet practices may result in a reduction in heart disease, increased life expectancy and reduced risk of some cancers. The health benefits of olive oil have long been realized in Greece. 

The term “Mediterranean Diet” truly is a generic term because the diet in Greece remains varied. You will find influences from North Africa and Italy in many Greek dishes, however the island of Crete has proven a veritable treasure trove of health research. Residents of Crete have one of the lowest heart disease risks in the world. 

Interestingly, western culture is looking into the health benefits found in countries like Greece, but many of the younger population in Greece are seeking out western cuisine. The trend has proven somewhat antithetical to the wellness experienced by older Greeks. While parents are consuming melons, stuffed tomatoes, salads and yogurt, the younger Greek generation are consuming cookies, hamburgers, French fries, pizza and pop. The result is an increase in obesity among Greek’s youth culture - researchers expect to see an accompanying rise in heart disease in the years to come.

With the Mediterranean diet, butter is replaced with the health benefits of olive oil, fast food lunches are replaced by a variety of fresh vegetables - snacks of chocolate and colas are replaced by fresh fruit and nuts.

Perhaps the reason you don’t hear as much about the Mediterranean diet as you might other weight loss plans is that there is no special pill to buy, no special formula to drink and no 12-step meal plan to purchase.

The Mediterranean diet works because common sense prevails in eating choices and a rise in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) is an indicator they are doing something right. The health benefits of olive oil cannot be overstated and traditional Greek cooking utilizes garden fresh produce and extra virgin olive oil. In tandem, this common sense approach continues to see a lower incidence of heart disease and colon cancer along with an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in overall weight.
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Weight Loss Supplements

More and more spend hundred and even thousands of dollars yearly on weight loss supplements in the hope of speeding up their metabolism.  The main desire is to be attractive and accepted but it is becoming a more difficult goal to achieve.  The fitness industry is booming but still a lot of people are unable to cut those fat in spite of all the exercise and diet efforts.  In America, more than sixty per cent of adults are overweight and thirty per cent are considered obese.  This is because: one, a lot of weight loss products promises unrealistic goals; two, dietary supplement manufacturers rely on the overweight person’s failure to survive; and three, the information about the supplements in the market are just written by themselves just to make a sell.  

Although the Food and Drug Administration has successfully banned illegal marketers, some products are still available.  Consumers can be deceived of the labels which claims caffeine or ephedra fee not knowing that these supplements composes of other ingredients that may pose the same health risks.  These include heart and digestive problems, headaches, insomnia, and even psychological side effects.

Other supplement manufacturers say that their products contains EGCG which is a phytochemical ingredient found in green tea.  This so-called component claims to speed up metabolism but in reality poses to reduce the risk of cancer.  Some studies denote that it could slightly increase the potential to burn calories and now can be found in many weight loss supplements.  It has good points on the other hand since the body might conform to EGCG after a period of time.  Eve the weight loss benefit could sum up to 60 to 70 calories a day.  This helps prevent excessive weight gain.  

A few other significant effects of weight loss supplements is that it may contain ingredients that makers claim will prevent the absorption of carbohydrates.  One good example is Chitosan, which appears most promising, which in fact shows no positive result in fat absorption.  It could even take up to seven months for men to lose just a pound of body fat and for women, there is no fat loss at all.  Thyroid supplements act as thyroid replacements help regulate and optimize the thyroid at a higher level.  This they say makes the body feel like a couch potato and won’t perform the job it has to.


Diet Pills. According to manufacturers, diet pills use natural ingredients capable of prolonging life and containing alcohol used in medication or flavoring.  One thing’s for sure, never take diet pills as substitute for cutting calories without the doctor’s recommendation.  There are simple but important steps to be followed when taking diet pills:

1.Never crush diet pills to mix in drinks or soups.  Take it whole with a full glass of water.

2.Diet pills causes a person to urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effect.  This could lead to dehydration, thus, causing complications.  As a pre-caution, it is best to drink eight glasses of water everyday while on diet pills.

3.Take only the recommended dosage.  Taking more than required will not help you lose weight but increase the risk of side effects.

4.Heartbeat should be less than 86 beats per minute.  Stop taking the pills if it reaches 90 or higher that is why regular checking of pulse is a must.

5.Always follow the instructions set by the dietician and/or doctor and not only rely on what’s enclosed in the box.  Also diet pills will only work as expected if diet plan is being followed.

6.After three months, stop taking the diet pills.  Common diet phenylpropanolamine is safe to use only up to sixteen weeks.  Other studies show that it can cause health problems if taken under one month.
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Cardiovascular Effort for Excellent Health


No matter who you are in the world, your body needs aerobic exercise. A healthy body and high quality way of life needs it. It has a number of pros and will help you feel greater in all areas of your life. So how can you benefit from aerobic exercise?

Anaerobic exercise is not like aerobic in that it is often shorter in length and greater in intensity. With anaerobics the body gets tired faster and muscles are created more actively. A variety of sports are categorized as anaerobic activities: soccer, downhill skiing, weight lifting, basketball, and football. Running or sprinting is another one. Anaerobic exercise will boost the possibility of the body being sore.

To imagine that often we don't do aerobic exercise is crazy because of it's number of perks. It helps control and reduces body fat, increases our total endurance, gives us more energy, assists in our resilience to exhaustion, increases our muscles, and raises our lean body mass. It also helps us mentally by improving mood, lowering anxiety, reducing depression, reducing tension, and having us sleep good at night. Who can't benefit a little from all that?These are pros that people would all use.

An aerobics class could be a good beginning for people who want to reap the rewards of aerobic exercise and aren't positive how to start. Both high and low intensity work outs are available in an aerobics class. The teacher should  show class members how to perform these moves either way. The amount of intensity is how high you bring your limbs up during the work out routine. Athletes must perform at the level of intensity pertaining to their level of fitness and the regularity of their work outs sessions.

The goal while working out aerobically is to reach your target heart rate and remain at that for the whole period you are exercising that group of muscles. This exercises the heart more effectively and makes the body expend a greater amount of calories. The aerobic curve is something some people will often reach. This is when you start exercising and elevate your intensity level to the peak then decrease gradually. It is better to maintain that continuous level as your heart rate rises. The lungs and heart endure longer and work more effectively when they are conditioned. People who do aerobic exercise on a steady basis will have to exercise harder to achieve their target heart rate as their stamina increases. People who are only beginning will get to their target heart rate quickly until their body gets used to the exercise.

More effective implementation of the lungs by escalating the oxygen carried to them as well as the heart using that oxygen more effectively are a few of the pros of aerobic exercise. The definition of aerobic means with oxygen, or with air.  Exercise that is lower in intensity and longer in time is aerobic. With aerobic sessions, an athlete implements the same big muscle group in a continuous motion from between fifteen and thirty. The goal of the aerobic exerciser is to maintain a maximum heart rate of approximately sixty to eighty %. A few aerobic sessions are: light running, cycling, walking, or treading water. These activities should be able to be done without a person breathing hard. You are possibly anaerobically working out if you are not able to carry on a brief conversation.

While in an aerobic exercise session, the body transports more blood and oxygen to the muscle groups. It is not smart to stop suddenly from an aerobic session. This leads to dizziness and muscle spasms. It is usually a great idea to have a cooling off session after a relatively intense aerobic work out. Running in place for a moment or two is a good idea if anybody gets too exhausted during a work out session.

This type exercise is absolutely obligatory for cardiovascular fitness even though it may be a bit difficult at first. A healthy body takes regular aerobic sessions and is an ongoing process. Three times a week is generally how frequently a person should exercise if they are already in fairly good cardiovascular shape. Those who are trying to lose weight and raise their level of fitness should work out four to five times a week.
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Weight Loss After Pregnancy

Just to show you how easy it can be to eat healthily, even when you have the fulltime task of looking after your baby, I have listed below a few recipes (ten to be exact), which you can easily make.

In the least amount of time you will find that you can create a tasty meal, which is also healthy for you. Alright, so it won’t be cordon bleu, but then again, who can stretch to looking after a baby full-time as well as cooking cordon bleu!

1 Stir Fried Chicken


Preparation Time: 15 minutes
What you will need: 1 large boneless, skinless Chicken Breast
                              1 bunch Asparagus
                              1 medium Onion, sliced
                              2 tbsp Soy Sauce
                              3 cloves Garlic, minced
                              1 tbsp fresh Ginger, minced
                              1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
                              1 tbsp Oil
                              Salt and Pepper to taste


Preparation: Wash and cube the chicken breast into bite sized pieces. Cut the Asparagus into 1 inch long           pieces, discarding the very end of the stalk.

Take a large skillet and heat the oil. Add the onions and stir fry them. Add the asparagus soon   after adding the onions, and stir fry both over a medium heat for about 3-4 minutes.

Add the chicken, ginger and the garlic and stir fry for a further 3-4 minutes.

Next add the vinegar, soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste, and stir fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until the asparagus is cooked.

You can serve this with a bowl of wild rice or couscous.

2 Baked Chicken


Preparation Time:    10 minutes preparation time + 90 minutes cooking time
What you will need: 6 Chicken Legs, cut in two
                              1 cup stoned Black Olives
                              1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
                              20-24 cloves Garlic, keep the skin
                              Olive Oil
                              Salt and Pepper
                              Fresh Basil, chopped (the dried stuff works just fine)

Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350oF. Marinate the chicken with salt and pepper to taste, and place in a    roasting tin.

Make sure to keep the chicken pieces all on a single layer. Pack in tightly but don’t overlap if you can help it.

Spread out over the top of the tightly packed chicken, the olives, cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves and a handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped.

Drizzle some of the olive oil over the top and place in the oven to bake. You can safely leave this dish to slow cook for about 90 minutes.

Serve hot, with a rice dish, pasta, or even with boiled new potatoes and greens.

3 Parmesan Chicken

Preparation Time:    15 minutes preparation time + 60 minutes cooking time
What you will need: 6 boneless Chicken Breasts

                               1 cup Breadcrumbs
                               1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
                               ½ cup melted Butter
                               1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
                               1 clove Garlic, minced
                               2 tbsp freshly chopped Parsley, (dried will also do)
                               Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation:  First preheat your oven to 350oF. Wash the chicken breasts and leave them to dry while you  are preparing the other ingredients.

Next combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce and the garlic in one bowl.
Take another bowl and combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper.

Then, dip each chicken breast first into the butter-Worcestershire mix, then into the breadcrumb- Parmesan mix.

Place each piece of chicken in a baking pan, single-layered. Place in the oven and bake for about 60 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

4 Baked Fish

Preparation Time:      10 minutes preparation time + 20 minutes cooking time
What you will need:   1 lb Fish Filets of your choice
                                 cup Breadcrumbs
                                 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
                                 1 tbsp Butter
                                 tsp fresh Basil, chopped (dried works fine)
                                 tsp freshly grated Nutmeg, (dried as well)
                                 A squeeze of fresh Lemon Juice
                                 Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation:  Preheat your oven to 450oF. Next, combine in a bowl the cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped basil, grated nutmeg, and salt and pepper.

Take a baking dish and use the butter to grease the bottom and sides of the dish. Line half of the cheese-breadcrumb mixture along the bottom of the dish.

Next, place the fish fillets over the cheese-breadcrumb mixture. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the fish fillets, and then cover with the remainder of the cheese-breadcrumb mixture.

Place in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the fish is cooked through.

The time taken for this will vary depending on the thickness of the fish. When the fish is fully cooked, it should flake very easily.


This tastes good on its own, or with a bed of baby spinach leaf salad. It also goes well with rice, or alternately with a few steamed greens and potatoes.

5 Quick Salmon Bake


Tuna steaks also work very well with this recipe.

Preparation time:      10 minutes preparation time + 20 minutes cooking time
What you will need:  4 steaks of Salmon
                               2 Onions, sliced
                               4 cloves of Garlic, crushed
                               1 Lime
                               Salt and Pepper to taste
                               Aluminum foil

Preparation:  Preheat the oven to 250oF. Wash the salmon steaks and set aside to dry while you are getting theother ingredients ready.

Take a piece of foil for each salmon steak, about three times the width of the steak. Lay one steak per each foil sheet about roughly in the middle.

Divide the onions and the garlic between the four steaks, and season with salt and pepper.

Fold the foil over the salmon, bringing the edges together in the middle to create a small rolled up handle. The salmon should now lie comfortably in a foil pocket.

Place these foil pockets in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

Remove from the oven when the salmon is fully cooked, being careful to avoid the steam trapped within the foil pocket.

You can serve this garnished with either lemon or lime, over a bed of wild rice, couscous, or ideally with risotto.

6 Creamy Spinach Fettuccine


Preparation Time:      15-20 minutes
What you will Need: 1 lb Fettuccine
                                1 lb fresh Spinach, (frozen can also be used)
                                4 cloves of Garlic, sautéed
                                ½ cup of half-and-half

                                ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
                                ¼ cup fresh Basil
                                 1 tbsp Olive Oil
                                 Salt & Pepper to taste

Preparation: Prepare the fettuccine according to the instructions on the package. While the fettuccine is cooking you can prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Place the remaining ingredients in a food processor, and chop coarsely to create a creamy sauce.

When the fettuccine is cooked, you can toss the creamy spinach sauce with the fettuccine to obtain a delicious dish.

Season with salt and pepper, pine nuts and some chopped basil if you like before serving. This is a meal on its own, or served with some crusty French bread, or even Bruschetta.

7 Quick Stir-Fry Couscous

Preparation Time:    10 minutes preparation time + 10 minutes cooking time.
What you will need: 1 lb Couscous
                               ½ cup Mushrooms, quartered
                               ¼ cup Bell Peppers, diced
                               ¼ cup Broad beans, chopped
                               ¼ cup Ham, diced
                               ¼ cup Bacon, coarsely chopped
                                1 large Onion finely chopped
                                Salt to taste
                                1 tbsp Oil

Preparation: Cook the Couscous according to the packet instructions while you are preparing the rest of your ingredients.

Take a large skillet and heat the oil, add the onions and lightly sauté until a light brown color.

Add the ham and the bacon and stir fry for about 3-4 minutes. Next add the bell peppers, mushrooms, and beans. Stir fry for a further 3-4 minutes.

When this is done, add the cooked couscous to the mixture, a little at a time so that it will mix in well with the couscous.
Serve with a side of grilled prawns, or any other grilled meat for a tasty treat.

8 Black Bean Chili

This is one of those dishes that you can leave on the stove and forget about until the time is right for you to serve the meal. It takes about 3 hours to slow cook, and about 10 minutes to prepare.

Preparation Time:    10 minutes preparation time + 3 hours cooking time
What you will need: 2 cans Black Beans, not drained
                               1 large Onion, diced
                               6 Cloves Garlic, minced (or 2 tbsp of bottled garlic)
                               4 Roma Tomatoes, diced (these taste better)
                               1 small can Tomato paste
                               1 tbsp Cumin
                                Salt to taste

Preparation:  Prepare your ingredients and place everything into a crock pot over a medium-low fire. When theingredients begin to boil, you can then reduce the heat to low.

Leave the chili to simmer on low heat for about 3 hours. Serve hot over a bed of steamed rice, or with a side of mash potatoes, or even a loaf of crusty bread. It’s as easy as that!

9 Cheesy Bean dish

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
What you will need: 1 tbsp Oil
                               1 large Onion, chopped
                               2 Celery stalks
                               2 cups/ 1 can Lentils
                               2 cups/ 1 can Kidney beans
                               2 large Tomatoes, diced
                               2 tsp dried Rosemary
                               Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation: Take a large skillet and heat the oil, add the onions and cook until they are soft. This should takeabout 3-4 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients except the cheese. Cook until the beans become soft, about 15-20 minutes.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top, and heat only until the cheese melts.

10 Easy Pizza


When all is said and done, sometimes you still don’t have the time or the inclination to do anything other than
order a pizza. A great healthy alternative however, is to create your own pizza (more or less).

All you need is a pre-made pizza base, and fresh, healthy toppings of your choice. Below is the recipe just in case you change your mind and leave off dialing the takeaway number you know by heart!

Preparation time:      10 minutes preparation time + 15 minutes cooking time (about the same time it takes to get your pizza delivered!)
What you will need: 1 store-bought Pizza base
                               1 can of finely chopped Tomatoes
                              ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese
                              ¼ cup combined of two additional cheeses
                               Toppings of your choice such, as pepperoni, ham, vegetables etc.

Preparation: Preheat your 350oF. Place the pizza base to cook in the oven for about 10 minutes, or according to package instructions.

Prepare the rest of your ingredients while the base is initially cooking. When the base is a light golden brown, take it of the oven.

You will first need to evenly spread the tomato sauce over the base. Then spread the grated mozzarella, as well as the cheeses, over the sauce.

Next you can add the toppings of your choice and place the pizza in the oven for a further 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has begun to melt.
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Weight Loss After Pregnancy

This is one thing that you need to take in almost from the beginning…wait, didn’t I already say that for something else? Yes, I did, and you can be assured that I will be saying it again later on in the book as well for something else.

This is because there are some things that you need to look at before jumping head first into the world of weight loss.

On the subject at hand, let’s take a look at how difficult or easy it is to try and lose weight when you have the demands of small baby to contend with.

I can just hear the choruses of “Difficult!” or “Are you out of your mind!” or even “Who has the time to sit down and think about these things!” going through your mind right about now.

And that’s perfectly fine, I won’t even get offended by the “Are you out of your mind!” bit! But really speaking, I have to say that each and every one of your thoughts right now on the subject are probably to some extent true, both the good thoughts and the negative ones.

The negative ones for instance have their root in your past experience with trying to get anything done, on time, and in a sane manner.

If you’ve also only just had your baby, you might feel that it is beyond you at the moment to even think about losing weight.

That’s also fine; you picked up this book so that means that you have some interest in it, and by reading it, you will find that when the time comes when you want to lose weight, you will be ready for it.

For those of you who want to lose weight, are ready for it, but have too much on your plate right now, I urge you to read the book further, I have included as best as I can, a number of things that you can do without having to resort to a special weight loss regime.

This won’t make you lose weight at a fast or regular rate, but you will lose some weight, and best of all, you will also find that just by doing a few of these things at least, you will begin to feel better about yourself.

The main thing to remember here though, is that no matter what your ultimate outcome is, whether you decide to go on a weight loss course of action or not, your baby won’t really understand either way.

Her needs will always come first, and in this you will find that your own needs will have to take a backseat.
Sometimes it just won’t be possible for you to eat regular meals, at regular times. It will also be impossible for you to get any amount of proper sleep.

You will find that sometimes you are so swamped with looking after your baby, that you have no time or energy left over for yourself. This is a very normal occurrence, especially if you have no one else with whom you can share the responsibilities of looking after her.

Whatever the case though, you will find that no matter how good your intentions are, that you will fail. This is
alright, just don’t become discouraged.

You can’t control every aspect of your life no matter how hard you try, and this becomes especially true when you throw a small bundle of joy into the mix.

Something else that you will also want to look at is how much time and effort you can put in to your weight loss regime. I went through this in the earlier section as well so I won’t go into it here again.

Just as long as you know exactly what you’re up against, and the ways that you can get around it, you should be on your way to losing those post pregnancy pounds and inches.
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Water therapy

This is the only dietary related suggestions I'll make in this program and the only purpose of itis to cleans the body so it's easier to burn your body-fat faster using the oxygen exercises.

Other than this you can eat whatever you want whenever you want.But PLEASE don't ignore this simple approach. I've had clients ONLY do this one part of the program and nothing else and lose ton of weight and shape up in very quick period of time. You will too.

Directions:

1. As soon as you wake up in the morning – before you have breakfast or even brush your teeth – drink around 1.5 liters or pure water (similar to 5-6 glasses).

2. It's important that you do not drink or eat anything for one hour BEFORE and AFTER you drink this 1.5 liters of water. I also recommend NOT to drink any alcohol the night before or at any time while you're working this therapy.

This is all there is to it. Simple, right?

You can use bottle watter or filtered or boiled water if you like. If you find it hard to drink 1.5 liters at one time, start slowly with one liter and add a little every day. This will soon become a nice habit.For best results, repeat this process in the evening.

1. One hour before going to sleep, drink 1.5 liters of pure water

2. Make sure you don't eat or drink ANYTHING one hour before drinking the water and nothing from the time you drink it till you wake up in the morning and repeat the process.

Doing the water therapy both in the morning and evening makes the cleansing process many times more effective and you'll literally see the pounds fall off.

I recommend practicing the water therapy once or twice a day for at least a week. If you're really motivated, repeat it till you've gained your desire weight (which won't be long).
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TIPS FOR HOLIDAY WEIGHT LOSS

The Holiday Season is one in which we all indulge ourselves in over-abundance. Especially when it comes to food. Food has become a central part of our get togethers and parties around the holidays, so it is important that we remember to make smart food choices. And this is something that is almost always easier said than done when you see some of the decadent food choices made available, made with love, by your friends and family.

In most cases, the majority of the party-going people won't be concerned with watching their weight, so they are less inclined to bring healthier versions of their best recipes. Then it becomes our own burden to stick with our diets or to watch what we eat as the food choices are always so tempting!

The following 15 holiday eating tips are here to help you when going to holiday parties to better watch your weight by giving you some great ideas.


1. Stop Eating When You Feel Full. This is something most people won’t, or don't, do. Especially those that are in the 'clean plate' club and don't like to leave extra or left over food on their plates. Honestly, there is absolutely no shame in leaving that extra portion of food on your plate. When your tummy feels full, just push yourself away from the table and say "No More For Me Thanks!”

2. Take A Few Extra or Longer Walks. Walking is a terrific form of exercise, and can be a great cardiovascular work out in colder temperatures. Especially when there is a nice layer of snow on the ground. Next time you go to let your dog out to do their bathroom 'business', why not slip on your coat and shoes, grab their leash and take them for a walk around the block, or down a few blocks. Fido will love you for it and you will be making yourself a healthier 'you' by doing it as well.

3. Don't Count Calories Incessantly. This is unnecessary and will drive your loved ones crazy and yourself too. Let's face it; there are enough stressors around the Holidays to worry about. Gaining an extra few pounds should be the least of your troubles! The best thing you can do if you are already dieting is to watch not what you eat, but how much of it you are eating instead of trying to keep track of your caloric intake. Unless of course you are on a strict diet and need to avoid things that contain higher carbohydrates, sugars, etc. In this case, you would obviously want to avoid eating things like potatoes, breads, cookies, candies, cakes, etc.

4. Use Reduced Fat, Sugar Substitutes, or Fat Free Ingredients in Your Recipes. Lots of people complain that fat-free or reduced fat ingredients change the flavor of their favorite recipes, and not in a good way. But, in all reality, there is barely a hint of difference in flavor. In fact, if one did not have the knowledge that normal ingredients such as sour cream had been replaced with a fat-free or reduced fat substitute, you would never hear a peep about the taste. When replacing sugar such as pure cane sugar with a substitute such as Splenda, Equal, or the like, you may notice a taste difference. So, in this case, if you have picky family members, simply make two versions of the same dessert or snacks and let your family opt for their own choice.

5. Eat One Big Meal Instead Of Continuous Snacking Or Smaller Meals. Opinions will vary on this one, but whether you're eating a bigger meal once, or several smaller meals throughout the day, the amount of food you are taking in is just about the same at any rate. The difference in eating a big meal once is that you will be completely full, or have the full 'feeling' so you won't be hungry as much. And DO NOT think you can have your 3 square meals a day and then add a couple of more to the mix. That will most definitely pack on the unwanted pounds. Remember to always eat in moderation and keep in mind the full feeling. When you are getting full, STOP EATING!

6. Know Your Eating Boundaries And Don't Cross Them. This tip is especially important if you are already dieting or trying to lose weight. You know better than Aunt Betty what you can eat. Even though her home-made pound cake might taste wonderful, you may want to not opt for seconds if you are on a strict diet. Many people like to splurge around the holiday season, but it's all a matter of will power really. If you just can't help yourself and must have some of Uncle Fred's ambrosia salad, then take a smaller than normal portion of it.

7. Go For The Healthy Food Choices. Almost every family unit has at least one 'health nut' within its midst. If there are healthy food choices available, then eat more of the plain fruits and vegetables instead of the pies cakes and cookies in the holiday 'spread'. Remember too that extra dips can help pack onthe pounds. Don't be afraid to ask what the dips are made from so you can make a more informed judgment on whether or not you can enjoy them. Also, you can always bring healthier food dips for fruits and veggies with you such as yogurt or reduced calorie veggie dips that are sold at most major grocery stores before the big get-together.

8. Eat In Moderation With Smaller Portions. As discussed earlier, take smaller portions of all those calorie packed goodies. This way, you can still partake of all the wonderful eats without packing on all the extra pounds that go along with all those goodies. And remember too to balance out the bad foods, or those that are packed with sugars and carbohydrates, with good foods such as plain fruits and vegetables.

9. Drink In Moderation. No, this is not an advertisement for drinking and driving, even though you should always have a designated driver if you plan on drinking more than the legal limit of course, or anything at all due to cold, icy, roads. Rather, many holiday drinks are packed with extra sugars, so watch how much of the good old egg nog you drink. This goes for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Water is always a great choice, or non-sweetened tea or coffee. There too, is also diet soda pop if you are a soda drinker.

10. Substitute Whole Grains In Lieu of Higher Carbohydrate Filled Grains. Try to steer clear of white breads, sugary cakes, potatoes, cookies, or anything else that you believe to have a high carbohydrate count. These can put a lot of weight on you quickly and is why many diets try to steer clear of these carb laden monoliths. Go for the whole wheat, multi-grain, sugar substitute holiday food choices. Sure, it's not the same as loading up on all the 'bad-for-you' foods, but you'll be glad you did when January rolls around.

11. No Eating After 7p.m. This can be extremely difficult to do. Especially when most holiday get togethers happen after 7 o'clock! If this is the case, then you should eat before you go to the holiday bash. Most foods are not properly burned off if eaten after 7 o'clock p.m. So, it's best if you eat long before this time rolls around. However, you can eat something healthy such as fruits or vegetables minus the fatty dips if you really need to snack on something.

12. Drink More Liquids Than Eating. Drinking more liquids will fool your body into believing it is full. Therefore, you can drink lots of water, unsweetened tea or coffee, diet sodas, low calorie fruit smoothies or soft drinks (noncarbonated), etc. without feeling the guilt of over eating. Stay away from higher sweetened drinks as this will defeat the purpose of watching your weight.

13. Eat Something Before You Go Grocery Shopping. Actually, you should eat something before you do any out of the house, or in house for that matter, activity that will burn calories. But, the main reason for going grocery shopping on a full stomach is that you will be less inclined to purchase all those fattening junk foods because you are not hungry so you aren't tempted by those types of food choices. You will be able to stay on track and only purchase those things you need from the grocery store instead of packing your cart with weight packing foods!

14. Plan an Out-Door Activity. Depending on the region you live it, whether the weather is warmer or colder, plan on doing something outdoors. This can be something you do by yourself, with family, or friends that doesn't involve any eating. Things like cutting down your own Christmas Tree, shopping for gifts, either last minute or not, walking through the park (you may want to do this with someone or a group of someone’s for safety reasons), going sledding, skiing, skating, playing some backyard football, collecting pine cones and creating some simple bird feeders with bird seed and peanut butter, and any other activities you can think up. Try to do one thing each week to replace a day of exercise or work out that you would normally do to keep things interesting and everyone in the holiday spirit!

15. No Healthy Food Choices? Bring Some! Cutting up vegetables or fruits to create a holiday health tray can be a nice 'change of pace' for your friends or family. Why not try brining some healthy holiday cheer at your next get together. Chances are someone else in your extended friends or family network are trying to watch their wastes too and would appreciate having a healthier-than-normal food choice. Even if that isn't the case, you are still saving yourself tons of work out time later once all those extra caloric fatty foods are attaching themselves to your waistline.


Of course there are always more things you can do to watch your weight year round. Try incorporating some of those things during the holidays as well since we all tend to eat a bit more and make less than savory choices to keep ourselves healthy, fit, and trim. Take the ideas in the tips above and fit them in to your lifestyle by changing them up a bit. Remember being healthy is a lifestyle in and of itself and should be practiced year round. It's especially important not to slack off around the holiday season when most of the unhealthy food choices are abundant.

I do hope the ideas listed above have helped you realize that you can watch your weight and still have a wonderful time at holiday gatherings without making a 'Santa's Helper' out of yourself :-).



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Diet and Exercising for Weight Loss
You can find all kinds of information on how to eat in order to lose weight, but few diets emphasize the importance of exercise. Losing weight, keeping it off and just enjoying better overall health all require exercise. Obesity is now being called an epidemic in the health community. In fact, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even ahead of cigarette smoking.

Obesity leads to type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and even an increased risk of cancer. With all of these health risks, as well as the general improvement in the quality of life that can occur, losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.

 No matter what we would like to believe, there simply isn't a magic solution to losing weight. The body will shed excess fat when it needs more calories to function through the demands you place on it in a given day than the amount of calories that you feed it. It's that simple.

So, in order to lose weight, you need to decrease the number of calories that you eat as well as increase the amount that you burn. There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss program.

 All of them often spend a lot of time explaining what to eat, in what amounts and even at what times or in what combinations. But few of them emphasize the importance of exercise – not just for losing weight, but for your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is vital when trying to lose weight for several reasons:
  • First, as you start to eat less, your metabolism will slow down somewhat. Exercising helps to elevate your metabolism back to an efficient level.
  • Second, as mentioned, exercise burns more calories so that you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts.
  • Third, exercise actually releases endorphins, chemicals that keep your mood elevated.
Exercise doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym or straining through exhausting workouts. In fact, in order for you to stick with it on the long run, exercising should be something that you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level in an overall way.

Take the stairs when you can. Park further from the mall door when you go shopping. Go for a walk in the park or through a neighborhood you love and bring a dog or a friend along for company. Take dance or martial arts lessons.

 Once you become more active in general, you'll find it easier and more natural to move into regular exercise. Which you'll need to do eventually in order to get regular, noticeable health benefits. You need to raise your heart rate to a fat burning level and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, 3 times or more a week. However, if you don’t want to go to a gym, there are other options. Videos and DVDs are now available in all kinds of exercise types.

That way you can change your routine whenever you want so that you don't get bored with what you're doing. Try a range of aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or pretty much any activity you want right in the comfort of your own home. If you have physical limitations that would keep you off from exercising, you can still find a way to increase your activity level.

 Water aerobics is a wonderful option for those who have joint problems or limited mobility because it relieves the pressure on your body that your weight provides. But you still get the resistance to challenge your muscles from the water. There are even classes and videos available that let you exercise in a seated position. Whatever kind of exercise you choose, it's important to stay motivated and keep it fun. Try gathering a group together to make it a social event.

Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you walk, and see how many miles you can walk a week. Make a competition amongst your friends or family members and treat the winner with something special (not food related!). Make the experience of exercising something that you look forward to, and it will soon become a regular part of your healthier lifestyle.

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Weight loss tips

Here are some weight loss diet tips that can be followed anywhere, everyday:

1. Make a delicious low fat mayonnaise by combining one teaspoon of Dijon mustard or satay sauce with a low fat yogurt.

2. Do not skip meals. Skipping meals slicks the body into slowing down the metabolism, attempting to conserve calories during a period where limited fats and fuel are available. Remember that eating increases the metabolism.

3. Stuff vegetables like capsicum and zucchini with flavored fillings or minced chicken, white meat or fish. These are healthy and contain low fat.

4. Take pita bread roll ups or wraps with salad fillings.

5. Eight hours after waking up, our metabolism slows down that is why 30 minutes of exercise before dinner will increase the metabolism for about two to three hours.  This produces an increase in burned fat even hours after the work out is over.

6. Add alfalfa or mung beans to salad to get extra iron.

7. Good cooking and healthy eating begins with learning about nutrition and how to prepare healthy recipes.

8. Learn how to make the family favorite recipes and make sure that fats, salt, and sugar are cut out. Substitute non-fat yogurt for cream, stir-fry without oil and use herbs and spices instead of salt to taste.

9. Consult the doctor before beginning an exercise or weight loss program.

10. Slowly eat and chew each bite during meals as this would decrease one's appetite.

11. Complete three small meals and two snacks everyday instead of one or two huge meals.

12. Use chicken stock when stir-frying.  This will cut down on hidden fat.

13. Buy non-toasted muesli instead of the toasted ones.  A plate of toasted muesli contains more fat than a plate of bacon and eggs.

14. As much as possible do not remove the skins of fruits and vegetables since most of the nutrients are concentrated under the skin.

15. Warm water with just a squeeze of lemon juice before breakfast get the metabolism going for the day, this also help preventing constipation and is excellent for the skin.

16. One of the best sources of vegetable protein is from soya beans or tofu. All legumes provide some protein, so include lentils, lima beans etc into casseroles and soups.

17. Look for a weight loss "buddy," club, or support mates. This will motivate you to stay and enjoy your weight loss program.

18. Though it's hard at first, try not eating 3 hours or more before bedtime.

19. Make pasta a fast food choice - preparing a pasta meal or salad will only take 10-12 minutes.

20. Chilli helps to speed up metabolism - even the milder varieties.

21. Try making omelettes without adding the yolks! A dramatic decrease in fat.

22. Substitute baking soda, baking powder, MSG and soya sauce in cooking.

23. Remove fat by dropping ice cubes into the baking tray. Fat will stick to the ice cubes.

24. Drinking hot water instead of cold water in the morning can increase the speed of your metabolism and burn more calories.

25. Eat before you go food shopping and always prepare a shopping list. Only buy food which relates to your weekly menu plan and don't be tempted to buy goodies.

Make sure that the right discipline is still practiced to promote consistency on the diet plan.  This will lead eventually to a healthy life-style and a more fruitful living without the extra fat and extra pounds on the side.

By: brown Michael
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Choosing The Right Diet For You

There are so many different and varied diets floating around today that it can be quite difficult to make a decision regarding which one is right for you when you feel it’s time to lose weight. Some diets emphasize low fat while others insist low calories are the way to go. Still yet, other diet gurus are adamant that in order to meet your weight loss goals you must cut out all forms of carbohydrates.

There are so many different and varied diets floating around today that it can be quite difficult to make a decision regarding which one is right for you when you feel it’s time to lose weight. Some diets emphasize low fat while others insist low calories are the way to go. Still yet, other diet gurus are adamant that in order to meet your weight loss goals you must cut out all forms of carbohydrates. One diet seems to combine factors from at least two other well known diets with claims to produce an optimum fat burning weight loss program. Then there are the various other diets that have circulated around the world for years with numerous success stories such as the cabbage soup diet and the cider vinegar diet. Which diets really work and more importantly; which diet is right for you?

One of the most important factors you must consider when contemplating any diet plan is whether you will learn how to eat healthy and nutritionally sound through the plan. Unfortunately, a number of different diets that boast incredible results do so through nutritionally bankrupt methods. Often referred to as fad diets, these weight loss programs encourage you to indulge in eating habits that can do more harm than good.

Many weight loss programs promise almost instantaneous results and for awhile at least; it seems as though your weight loss dreams may have finally come true through the presence of this type of diet. Then the sad reality sets in. You realize there is no possible way you can stay on this diet for the rest of your life. This is an important factor to consider; because ideally you should be looking for a healthy weight loss and maintenance program not a diet. Although a very low-calorie, high or liquid diet or even a diet that only lasts for a few days may allow you to initially lose some weight, you will inevitably find that your weight loss problems recur when a vengeance at a later point. Instead of looking for a miracle cure, look for a weight loss program that can help you to achieve your goals on a permanent basis.

For those of us who would prefer to avoid exercise like the plague, any weight loss program that promises we can reach our goals without that dreaded E word is a lifesaver. Unfortunately, long term weight loss simply isn’t possible without taking part in a sensible exercise routine. Sad, but true.

When considering engaging in any weight loss program or diet, always ask yourself the following questions 1. Will I learn to take part in a healthy, nutritionally sound eating plan through this diet? 2. Is this a diet I can stick with long term? and 3. Does this diet combine sensible eating with moderate exercise?

When you find a diet or weight loss program that meets all of these conditions, you know that you have found the right diet for you. As with any diet, it’s always a good idea to check with your physician before engaging in any weight loss program.

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Does Alli Really Work For Weight Loss


Does alli work as a weight loss pill? The quick answer seems to be yes, but there is a downside, so read on.

Alli is the over-the-counter name for orlistat which is also available in prescription form as Xenical. If you are going to ask for it you may like to know that it is pronounced like ally, not alley. It is essentially a fat blocker. It works by preventing the body from absorbing the fat from the foods that we eat, and it is the one freely available drug that has FDA backing for its claims to aid weight loss. You might think you could eat all the fatty foods you liked and then take alli to negate the effect but sadly that is not true. It should always be used in conjunction with a low fat diet plan under the supervision of a doctor.

The amount of weight loss achieved with alli is variable. In one study involving one-year clinical trials, between 35.5% and 54.8% of subjects attained a 5% or greater decrease in body mass, although we do not know how much of this mass was fat. Between 16.4% and 24.8% of the subjects achieved a 10% or more decrease in body mass. In combination with a calorie controlled diet, the effects could be expected to be greater. It was also shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The participants regained an average of one third of the weight that they had lost after stopping alli, but this is typical of most dieters.

The main disadvantage of alli is the side effects which center around digestive and bowel problems. The higher the fat content in the diet, the greater these side effects are likely to be, as the undigested fat is expelled from the body. Flatulence, loose stools and bowel incontinence can result, especially in the early stages before the body is accustomed to the drug. The manufacturer's website warns, "You may feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it's probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work." You really need to want to lose weight to take alli!

However, these side effects are reduced if you stick to the recommended low fat diet and as the manufacturers hint, the potentially embarrassing side effects can even be helpful in encouraging you to keep to your diet. Always remember that alli does not claim to work without consistent efforts toward weight loss from you. What they do claim is that it can improve your weight loss by up to 50%. That would mean a person who lost 10 pounds without taking alli would lose 15 pounds taking it. It boosts your weight loss and rewards your efforts with better results than you could get by yourself. Note though that individual results will vary and are not guaranteed.

Sadly, there is no magic diet pill that will melt away your excess pounds while you sleep, but alli is a pill that has documented results. If you are determined to lose weight and have been struggling with diets without much effect, it may be a good time to discuss it with your doctor and find out does alli work for you.

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Effective Ways To Lose Weight Fast

Want to lose weight fast? It's easy to say goodbye to 10 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda - the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again, this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied, too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping, too - make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.

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Dieting Tips For Weight Loss

Keep a food diary, have diet food prepared and delivered to you, use smaller plates, eat healthy snacks and drink plenty of water to help with weight loss.

Keep A Diary Of What You Eat

I think you will be very surprised if before you start your diet you keep a journal of what you eat and at what times. Do this for about a week. Then study your journal and see where you can cut back and find out at what times are you eating that could cause problems. If you find you are having a snack at 10 pm at night. Try bringing the time time in. You never what to eat to soon before you go to bed.

Buy Diet Food Prepared

What can make dieting hard to stick to is the preparation? Having the diet food available to you also means having to go shopping then come home and prepare your healthy meal. Now a days it seems everyone is so rushed with no time to spare. Would it not be easier to have your diet meal already prepared for you? There are a few diet nutrition food programs that will actually ship the food right to your door. Talk about convenience. I know of a few diets that deliver food, Atkins At Home, Diet To Your Door, Diet To Go, eDiets - Fresh Cuisine, Jenny Direct, Nutrisystem, Sunfare and Zone Chefs.

Smaller Plates To Help Lose Weight

Use smaller plates to help you lose weight. This will give you smaller portions but may fool the eyes. Never feel you have to finish everything on your plate. This does not mean you have to throw food out. You can store diet food for later. If you feel full, stop.

Snacks Ready To Eat

Have healthy snacks ready to eat. Instead of grabbing for the chips have carrot slices ready to grab. You will still get that sensation of crunchy with a more healthy nutritious choice.

Water, Water, Water

If you do some research regarding dieting one thing you will hear over and over is to drink plenty of water. Not only will water help to fill you up so you do not eat to much, but it is also great for your appearance. Water is the best beauty treatment. It flushes out the impurities and gives you great looking skin.

Drinking water can also improve muscle tone. Muscles having all the water they need contract easier. Drinking water can give you a more effective workout when you exercise.

You should drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of water a day and more if you are more than 25 pounds over weight. For every 25 lbs I would drink another 8 oz glass of water.

Keep water by you. Use a straw if that will help you drink more.

Good luck and stick with it. Take it day by day. I also recommend only weighing your self once a week. As always before you start any diet or exercise program check with your doctor first.

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Weight Loss Success

Even though there is so much information available about weight loss, the same diet mistakes are being made over and over every day. We are not talking here about little slipups where you ate a slice of pie that was not on the plan, but big mistakes that lead to failure to lose the weight that you want to lose. Understanding these errors can help you develop the attitude that will lead to permanent weight loss for you.

1. The All Or Nothing Attitude

All or nothing dieters will often pick out a complicated diet that is almost impossible for them to maintain. Before beginning, they will search the kitchen for anything that does not fit the plan and throw it in the garbage. They are planning to be the perfect dieter, and so they will be -for one day, three days, seven days or even a couple of weeks. Then, inevitably, something happens that means they cannot keep to the diet one time. Immediately, the whole thing is ruined in their eyes and the diet is over. They go to the store and buy all the things that went into the garbage last week and proceed to gain back all the weight that they lost, as fast as possible.

If you are this kind of dieter, you need to ask yourself some tough questions. Do you really want to lose weight permanently, or just lose a few pounds so that you can enjoy putting them back on again? The way forward is to make small changes to what you eat so that you have a slow but steady weight loss.

2. The Attitude of Sacrifice

Another common mistake is to view your diet as a period of sacrifice. You do not allow yourself the foods that you enjoy most while you are on your way to your target weight. You may have a great diet plan and be very successful in losing weight, but what happens when you reach your goal? You have not learnt to eat 'bad foods' in moderation so as soon as you start, you are likely to go out of control. It is better to include a little of everything in your diet and learn to enjoy it in small quantities. Yes, even chocolate!

3. Goal Failure

Setting achievable goals is vital in any weight loss plan. Goals should be clear, realistic and set out in writing. While you probably do have an ideal weight in your mind, unless you are only very slightly overweight, it is probably too distant to be useful. A more useful goal would be to lose two pounds per week for the first five weeks and then one pound per week after that. Some weeks you will lose more and some less, some weeks you may even gain, but if you track your progress on a graph, you will see that ups and downs are natural and do not stop you progressing steadily toward your major goal.

If you have been making these mistakes, do not worry. The most important point in dieting, as in so many other things, is to move on. Learn from your failures as well as your success and do not use a mistake as an excuse for giving up. The only way to achieve your goal permanently is to make a commitment to become a healthier person. Remember that eating normally includes eating more some days and less others. Learn to enjoy food in moderation and you have every chance of avoiding these bad diet mistakes.

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