Tuesday 26 March 2013

How to Lose Weight Fast: 14 Things You Can Do to Lose Weight Quickly!



Everyone wants to know how to lose weight fast. We know the usual "watch your diet and exercise regularly" routine. But if it is as simple as that, then there wouldn't be so many fat people in this world!
Amidst all the lies and hype surrounding the weight loss industry, it can be hard to separate the hype and lies from the truth. That's why in today's article, I'm going to share with you 14 things you must do to lose weight fast. Following these 14 tips will help you to lose weight safely and stay lean all year-round.

WARNING: SOME OF THE INFORMATION YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ MAY CONTRADICT WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #1: Stop eating only salads


This is a well-known habit especially among female office workers. You order a big salad with nothing but greens. Your colleagues see what you eat and applaud your efforts to lose weight. But before 2pm, you get hungry and start looking for cookies and chocolates to snack. How's that for one step forward and two steps back in your fat loss attempt? While there's nothing wrong with having salads for lunch, you should add some good clean protein such as eggs and chicken breasts and also good fats such as avocados or guacamole into your salads as well. Remember this: Every meal should have a protein element. These protein and fat make you feel more satisfied after the meal and will sustain your blood sugar levels for a longer period so you won't be looking for unhealthy snacks around the office right after lunch.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #2: Replace all the unhealthy snacks at home and in your office 

Contrary to popular belief, snacking is actually productive for fat loss. Snacking on healthy snacks in between meals will help maintain a steady blood glucose level and also keep your metabolism elevated. Since people snack on convenience and the general availability of food around them, it is important to keep only healthy snacks such as dark chocolate, nuts, trail mixes, fruits or even beef jerky within easy reach. Throw all the others away. Or give them to a colleague you hate.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #3: Start a simple exercise routine.
Every fat loss program needs to have an exercise component. It doesn't even have to an actual exercise like jogging or swimming. If you have never exercised before in your life, you can even start something as simple as brisk walking every day for 20 minutes and work up the intensity from there. The main objective is staying active and turning up your metabolism. As you get fitter (and you will), crank up the intensity and challenge your body to reach new heights of fitness.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #4: Stop the steady state jogging
If you have been jogging for some time and haven't seen any significant weight loss results, then it's time for you to move on to more challenging exercises. Jogging is a good exercise to build your cardiovascular endurance, but not the best for fat loss. To effective burn fat, you need a workout that elevates your heart rate to at least 80% of your maximum heart rate and burns the most number of calories in the shortest period of time. Full body exercises such as burpees, squats, deadlifts, shoulder presses and rows gives you the most bang for your time spent on exercising. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds with a 30 second break in between for 3 sets before moving onto the next. Do this for 10 - 15 minutes a day and you will see results beyond what you have experienced from months of jogging.


How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #5: Don't avoid carbohydrates completely. 

 When carbs replaced fats as the main contributor of weight gain, many people are avoiding all known types of carbs completely. I personally have a colleague who shuns carbs like the plague. Let me set the record straight. Not all carbs are bad. Our bodies need carbs to function properly. Carbs are our bodies' main source of energy. In fact, our brain functions primarily on carbs. Depriving your body of carbs can have detrimental effects on your body. Every type food has its time and place to be consumed. As a general rule, you should only consume low glycemic carbs such as brown rice, dark leafy vegetables, multi-grain bread, oatmeal, etc. High glycemic foods such as bananas, juices, white rice, potatoes and other processed foods are best consumed only right after an intense exercise.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #6: Set realistic and measurable goals. 

 A lot of people give up on a training or fat loss program after a week or so because they did not see the results they were expecting. First of all, you have to remember that you didn't get fat overnight. So you should not expect a miracle weight loss to happen as well. Setting realistic and measurable goals will help keep you motivated and continue towards your ultimate weight loss goal. So what considered as a realistic goal? Losing 0.5-1kg (1-2 lbs) a week is a realistic. Losing half an inch on your waist after two weeks is realistic. Of course, you have to be completely honest with yourself when you are accessing these goals. Ask yourself if you are really following the exercise program religiously? How many times did you cheat on your diet?

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #7: Focus on building muscle

Some people may disagree with me that exercising and muscle-building is important for fat loss. To me, fat loss is all about changing our body composition - reducing the fat mass and increasing fat-free mass (muscles). Increasing fat-free mass will invariably contribute to the lowering of fat mass. For each pound of muscle your body has, you burn an extra 35-50 calories a day. Fat on the other hand burns only 2 calories per pound. So the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate will be. And contrary to popular belief, having more muscles is what will give your body those sexy curves that the opposite sex desires.
How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #8: Invest in a whey protein or meal replacement supplement.  Having 3 meals a day with 3 snacks times in between is not always easy to prepare. That's why for convenience purposes, it's recommended that you purchase a good whey protein or meal replacement supplement. Just add water or milk and you have one serving of quality protein.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #9: Make small changes and stick with them for 21 days 
Let's be honest with ourselves. Fat loss involves some behavioral and lifestyle change. Your current lifestyle got you to the state that you are now. Continuing down this path obviously is not the quickest way to lose weight. We all know behavioral change is the hardest thing. This is why we need to make little changes every day that is more acceptable to our bodies. For example, if you currently drink two cans of soda every day, cut down to one can a day. Then next week, cut down to one can every two days. You get the picture. And for any program that you decide to get started, stick with it for 21 days. Statistics have shown that any behavioral change takes 21 to accept and approximately 60 days to form into a habit. So no matter how much you hate a current diet or exercise program, persevere for 21 days. You will be glad you did.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #10: Surround yourself with like-minded people
Some people are very dependent on social support, while others not so much. If you belong to the former group, it is important that you factor this aspect of motivation especially when you are starting out on a fat loss program. During the initial 21 days, it is important to stay motivated and focused on the goals you have set for yourself. You are bound to encounter challenges and struggles as you go through the program. Such as days when your thighs are so sore after doing full body squats or even good news like when you succeed in losing an inch off your waist. If you have friends who are doing the fat loss program with you, great! Share your results and how you feel about the program with them. Talk to fitness professionals; join online communities or Facebook groups to share experiences and gain knowledge. Also, don't just focus on the fat loss part. Get into the whole health and fitness experience. Buy fitness magazines, visit fitness websites. Look at physiques you desire to achieve and set them as your desktop wallpaper. Do whatever you need to stay motivated.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #11: Train your legs

I'm not just talking about jogging here; I'm referring to doing heavy squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc. If you have ever done squats before, you will know that it is one of the most demanding exercises in the world. You pant and sweat like a dog as if you have sprinted a mile. But it is also one of the best exercises for building overall strength and of course burning calories. Leg exercises such as squats are usually compound exercises and as such burns more calories. Even if you are not doing weighted squats, just doing body weight squats alone can be just as challenging. To be honest, in my first 5 years of training, I never once trained my legs. I always thought the upper body is more important and doing squats could stunt your vertical growth. That is all a fallacy. Ever since I started doing squats, my strength went through the roof and my body fat levels have remained consistently low all year-round. Now I do squats at least once a week otherwise my workout is never complete. If you have never trained your legs before, trust me, start your workouts with squats and you will be amazed by the results you see. And yes, you can thank me later.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #12: Keep a meal diary
Many people don't realize how many calories they consume every day. You think you are eating less by skipping a meal here and there. But you never consider those sodas, grande Frappuccinos or those cookies

distributed by your colleagues that you so casually put in your mouth during the day. If you take down everything (and I mean every single thing including those mentos) that you eat into a meal diary, you will be surprised how many calories you are taking. Yes, I know it's quite a pain to record down everything. But do yourself a favor and just do it for one day. It will be an absolute eye opener.

How To Lose Weight Fast Tip #13: Learn to love water
Perhaps the most overlooked causes of weight gain, the liquids you consume can deceptively pack on a ton of calories. Just a can of soda contains close to 150 calories. A grande mocha Frappuccino contains a whopping 420 calories. Drink a soda and a Frappuccino every day and you will gain a pound a week.
Because we can so easily and carelessly gulp down beverages without a second thought, liquid calories are more harmful. Fruit juices are no better. They all contain naturally occurring fruit sugar, fructose, which like all other sugars if consumed in excess will result in weight gain. One of the quickest ways to lose weight is to always choose water over all other beverages. Water has zero calories and is a natural source of hydration for our bodies. By simply replacing all your other sugary laden beverages with water, you will quickly be able to see weight loss results.

How to Low Weight Fast Tip #14: Limit alcohol consumption

I know it is almost impossible to completely abstain from alcohol. But if your goal is to find the fastest way to lose weight, then you have to cut down on your happy hours. Alcohol is a toxic substance with absolutely no
nutritional benefit whatsoever. What's more, each gram of alcohol contains 7 calories. A few glasses of cocktails with its sugary mixers can easily pile on at least 1000 or more calories a night. You should also know that alcohol is an appetite stimulant. So don't be surprised if you feel hungry after a night of partying. Of course this leads to additional calories into your body that you don't need. If you are focusing on building muscle, excessive alcohol lowers your testosterone and increases cortisol levels (stress hormone) thereby reducing your body's ability to build muscle effectively.

With so many disadvantages to your fat loss goals, do you still need another reason not to drink?
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Saturday 23 March 2013

B12 Shots for Weight Loss - What Are the Benefits and Side Effects?




For anyone who wants to shed excess weight, the most tried and true method is a proper diet and frequent exercise. Nevertheless, there are some ways to enhance your likelihood of reducing your weight. One of those ways is B12 injections which has shown to improve a persons overall health. There are those that have a B12 deficiency and require the shot, but that doesn't mean its right for you. We'll discuss what exactly the B12 shot for weight loss is and what benefits or side effects may result from taking this shot.

What exactly is B12?
B12 is a nutrient you could acquire by eating fish like bass or salmon, as well as clams and lean meats. Taking B12 may also increase a persons metabolic rate which increases energy levels. Increasing your metabolic rate not only helps you burn calories even while resting, but stops the extra consumed fats from just being stored; more will be used up to produce the energy.

Even though there is a lack of clinical proof that B12 injections for weight loss work, some have reported that taking B12 helps in controlling weight gain. Regardless of the advantages or disadvantages of B12, experts agree that the most efficient way to get vitamin b12 into the blood stream is by taking a b12 shot. Since B12 helps in making your metabolic rate work appropriately, it could be one factor in the success of every fat reduction plan.

Some doctors would have you taking B12 shots for weight loss once a week, but there are things to consider. Price is one thing to consider because the shots run upwards of $25 dollars per shot. Now, if you need 1 to 2 shots a week that might be more than you are willing to pay. Once taking the shot if you see positive gains in your energy levels and just overall feeling good, then you could opt to have the shot twice a week or twice a month. As with any medically related treatment, your doctor will advise you best.

B12 shots for weight loss can also produce weight loss results, because often they contain some sort of fat burner. These shots may contain a lipotropic complex which combines natural herbs, multiple vitamins and minerals. This lipotropic complex supports healthy liver organ function and will help the liver manage fats. These fats are broken down and then move throughout the bloodstream where they may be used to produce energy.

B12 Shots Benefits

The benefits of B12 shots may be reduced stress levels, skin condition improvements, energy level increases, and possible weight loss. If you're in good shape, feel healthy and balanced and have no lack of energy then taking the B12 effects may be minimal. However if you are feeling run down, on the go all the time then a B12 shot may just be the thing to help give you a boost. Having a B12 deficiency though and taking the shot, may improve your bodies response to any weight loss program and increase your energy overall.

B12 Shots Side Effects
As with any shot, medicine or product you take, there can be side effects. Not all people will experience these side effects, but there are symptomsthatyou should be aware of. If you decide to take the B12 shot and experience any of these side effects, contact your physician immediately. These may include:
  • Moderate diarrhea
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Inflammation at the area of injection
  • Headache
  • Tightness within the chest area or raised heartrate
  • Muscle soreness, weakness, cramping pains
  • Regular urination
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • A sensation of excessive exhaustion or tiredness
  • Swollen hands, lower legs, arms, ankles or feet
  • Hives
  • Itchiness
  • Visible rash on the skin surface
If considering b12 injections for weight loss just understand it's not the only answer. Proper diet, exercise and learning about nutrition all will benefit you in the long term. Like some, you may have a B12 deficiency and require the shot, but your doctor will examine your overall health and help you decide.

Saturday 16 March 2013

Alarming Weight Loss Statistics: UK Population Increasingly Obese

It is predicted that ½ the UK population will be clinically obese within 20 years. Around 60% of adults and 20% of school children in the EU are overweight or obese. This represents a massive increase in the last decade and it is getting worse.

Being overweight or obese is having an excess ratio of body fat to body mass, commonly referred by BMI calculated (body mass index). A BMI of 25 is considered as healthy, whilst 25-30 is overweight and above 30 is classified as clinically obese. Research in the USA has shown that around 40% of cancers are attributed to obesity, largely the result of excesses of processed foods, sugar being a prime culprit.
Obesity brings on ageing and abdominal obesity (referred to as “central obesity”) and is a precursor to heart failure, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, stroke and sleep problems etc.,

Reducing your weight is never easy, most weight loss diets fail through lack of determination and poor self-management. An organised approach to weight loss is needed, one based on motivation, support and the correct balance of foods. Over-eating is the prime aggressor of any weight loss programme and becoming overweight is caused by a conflicting situation of pleasure gained by eating more than necessary and only consuming what is required for energy on a daily basis.

Regardless of however forceful commercial advertising implies belief in its method, the only way weight loss can be effective is by habit change to a reduction of food intake.

Facts by nation

England

  • just over a quarter of adults in England are obese
  • 3 out of 10 children aged 2 to 15 in England are overweight or obese
  • by 2050, it is estimated that half of the population in England will be obese

Obesity map

Northern Ireland

  • 1 out of 5 adults is classified as obese
  • obesity and related conditions account for 20% of the health budget in Northern Ireland
  • BMA Northern Ireland and the Irish Medical Organisation have produced a joint paper on obsesity

Scotland

  • two thirds of adults are overweight or obese
  • one third of children are overweight or obese
  • the cost of obesity to NHS Scotland could reach £3 billion by 2030

Wales

Friday 8 March 2013

Weight Loss Formula Become Healthy and Lean

With so much weight-loss information out there, it's hard to make sense of it all and distinguish fact from fiction. Here are a few common myths explained and clarified!
To loose weight I need to...

1. Cut the fat in my diet
Myth

Fat is essential to every diet and should consist of 15 to 30% of one's daily calorie intake. This being said, it is important to give your body the best fats (unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated; including omega 3 and 6), limit the saturated fats (animal fat from meat and dairy) and avoid the trans-fats (in many baked pre-packaged goods). Fats are important for many functions in the human body, as every cell membrane in our body consist of them. They play an essential role in many bodily functions as well as being essential for absorbing lipid-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). The Mediterranean diet, world renowned for its health properties and healthy weight virtues is a perfect example of this. Fat consists of 25-35% of calorie intake, only 8% being saturated (dairy and meat), the rest coming from olive oil and other plant based sources.

2. Cut the carbohydrates
Myth

My defense of carbohydrates is continual! Why are they essential? Carbohydrates serve crucial functions in the human body. Among other things, they are your body's principal source of energy and the only source of energy for many important cells such as neurones and red blood cells. This being said, an over consumption of carbohydrates transforms itself into fat, which is why, on average, an adult's plate should consist of only 20% whole grains and or starchy vegetables, the rest being vegetables, fruits, protein and fat.
Most important of all is the type of carbohydrates you choose. The reasons this food group has a bad reputation is that chosen incorrectly they wreak havoc on your blood sugar and cause you to crave more food rather than fill you up and provide you with the nutrients and long-lasting energy you need.
Which ones are best? Choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains instead of 'white' or refined carbohydrates (white rice, white bread, white pasta... ).

Losing weight forever
 3. Replace sugar with artificial sweeteners

Myth
You've heard that sugar makes you gain weight therefore you make sure to drink diet coke rather than the original, put sweetener in your coffee and feast on sugar-free cookies.
On top of the fact that there is not much research on the safety of artificial sweeteners, the consumption of aspartame and saccharine, like sugar, is very addictive, and they wreak havoc on our blood sugar, causing drops in energy that make us crave more food as a result. Ironically enough, diet drinks have also been linked to obesity and overeating.
There is a lot of research that links diet drinks to weight gain. The theory is that because the sugar-free drink contains no calories, its sweet taste sends a signal to the brain to expect food and calories, and because these are not arriving, the body starts craving food and more calories. Another explanation is that consuming high amounts of sugary substances dulls your taste buds and as a result, makes you crave more high calorie foods.
The ultimate solution to free yourself of this vicious cycle and loose weight, is to wean yourself off of sugar and sugar substitutes slowly. You can start the weaning process with Stevia, a safe and natural, no-calorie sweetener.

4. Eat less
Myth and reality

Reality: Portion control and snack control are two of the keys to maintaining a healthy body weight. The easiest way to control your portions this is to see your daily food consumption as a pie chart! On average, 60% of your plate should consist of vegetables and fruits; 20% from carbohydrates; and 20% from protein. This can be modified depending on your age, the season, your activity level and other factors.
Not making it to your next meal without a snack? Put an end to this snacking by:
  • Increasing your consumption of satiable foods and decrease your refined carb consumption (white carbs). Satiable foods include those rich in fiber and healthy fats. Refined carbohydrates, including sweets will give you a quick burst of energy and then leave you tired and feeling hungry.
  • Train your body not to eat outside of meals and put yourself on a fixed meal schedule. Notice that when you are jetlagged you are hungry at the times when you normally eat at home. This is because the body remembers that you usually eat at certain times at which point it prepares itself to digest. Getting yourself on a 3 meal a day with no snacks schedule should take about the same amount of time as getting over jetlag: a few days to a week. Most adults have a relatively sedentary lifestyle that does not require snacks if they've had decent satiable meals.
The myth part is that one should not starve him or herself. Consuming three meals per day and having only fruits or vegetables as occasional snacks, helps to avoid the feeling of being ravishingly hungry and making unsound food decisions while in a hypo-glycemic state. Meal skipping also slows your metabolism meaning that your body burns less energy throughout the day. Meal skipping also provides you with less energy to go for that jog or power walk which will burn calories and also increase your metabolism!

5. Do not eat 2 hours before going to bed or after 8 pm
Partly true
I am not big on rules, especially when they are aimed at everyone but let's see why this can partially hold true.
Our bodies have an energy stock to keep us going between meals called glycogen stock; it releases energy for 6-8 hours after your meal. Fasting for 12 hours between dinner and breakfast is an important weight loss tool for the simple reason that after the body has depleted its stock of glycogen it starts burning your stock of fat. If you are snacking in the evening, the body's glycogen stock is replenished and you are not giving a chance for your body to burn fat.
My revised version of this weight loss 'rule' which is also important for your health is to: fast for 12 hours between dinner and breakFAST.

6. Eat low calorie foods
Myth

Diet foods may cause overeating. Professor David Pierce explains that foods with low calorie content disrupt the body's ability to use taste to regulate caloric intake. (1)
In addition, diet foods contain more artificial flavors and products in order for the food's taste not to be compromised. Why is this bad? The health consequences of regular consumption of these products are uncertain and little long-term research has been done.

7. Drink a lot of water
Myth and reality 

It is commonly recommended that people trying to loose weight increase their water consumption. This is mostly because thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Also, while you are drinking water you are not drinking calorie containing drinks such as juices, soft drinks, alcohol, etc. Water also helps your body eliminate toxins which are more present in your circulation when you start eating healthier. Removing these toxins contributes to your health. In terms of losing weight though, water does not contain any magical component which will help you achieve this.
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