Basics of Weight Loss - 3

Step up your activity level

Every calorie you consume or have stored on your body can be burned through activity. If weight control is the goal, step up your activity level. Start by determining how active you are by using a pedometer to measure the steps you take. Gradually increase your daily steps any way you can - short walks, more chores, pacing while watching TV or talking on the phone and of course, climbing stairs at every opportunity. If you prefer the gym, that's fine too as long as you're burning more calories by working harder or adding to your regular workouts. Keep in mind that the more active you are, the more fuel your body burns. This means you can speed up your weight loss efforts or choose to eat more.

Monitor your progress and adjust

Monitor your progress at least once a week by weighing in or taking your circumference measurements. For accuracy purposes, it's best to check your weight at the same time of day with the same clothing. Also, consider weighing in mid week because weight fluctuations tend to occur after a weekend of dining out or indulging. Because weight can fluctuate on any given day, judge your progress over time. If your results aren't moving in the right direction after any two to three week period, you'll need to adjust. Reduce the calories you take in or increase movement until you make progress.

Set goals and get support

Set a short term and long term goal and write them down. In doing so, you make a commitment to yourself which helps propel you into immediate action. On average, ½ to 2 lbs per week is a healthy weight loss rate. However, the more overweight you are to begin with, the faster you can safely lose weight. One pound of body fat contains approximately 3,500 calories. The data below shows you how many calories you'll have to cut out of your diet or burn off through exercise to reach your weight loss goals.

Source : ArticleDashBoard

Dear Friends,

We see a lot of information, help, mantra moving around us in the form of emails, pictures, media, etc. This is just a small step ahead to bring this information together and place in front of you in form of this new blog. Hope you like this blog and give your support as always.

Self Help Mantra ---- > http://selfhelpmantra.blogspot.com/

~ Webvision Global Team

How do I increase my daily steps on Pedometer?

Looking for ideas to increase your steps? A researcher asked 34 employees of a small northeastern college what strategies they used to increase their steps. Below are the results (numbers in parentheses are the percentage of participants who used the strategies). The employees said:

To a meeting or work-related errand (65%)
After work (50%)
Before work (35%)
At lunch (47%)
On the weekend (32%)
While traveling (32%)
With the dog (32%)
To a destination (work/store) (29%)
Parked farther away (50%)
Used the stairs rather than an elevator (24%)
Performed other cardiovascular activity (539%)

If you scanned your week, you would find times and opportunities when you could walk a little more. Pedometer contests at your office or even at home. Divide your office colleagues into teams and post a big chart in a conspicuous place with the cumulative number of steps that all of you take each week, and then at the end of the month, give awards to the members of the team with the highest step count and give a special award to the individual who takes the most steps. At home, post a chart on the fridge and see who takes the most steps. The winner doesn't have to do dishes for a week! Make the contests fun. The good news is that anyone with a pedometer can participate.

Source : Medicinenet.com

Dear Friends,

We see a lot of information, help, mantra moving around us in the form of emails, pictures, media, etc. This is just a small step ahead to bring this information together and place in front of you in form of this blog. Hope you like this blog and give your support as always.

Self Help Mantra ---- > http://selfhelpmantra.blogspot.com/

~ Webvision Global Team

Eat To Lose - Part 2

Lets continue ahead ... concluding part.

6. Green Tea - Antitoxidants called catechins are what help speed metabolism and fat burning. Green tea also boosts the metabolism and lowers bad LDL cholesterol.

7. Lean beef - Who says you got to keep totally off meat if you are trying to shed weight? The amino acid leucine, which is abundant in meat and fish as well as in dairy products, can help you reduce while maintaining claorie-burning muscle.

8. Olive Oil - Fight off that middle-age bulge with extra virgin olive oil. A monounsaturated fat, it'll help you burn calories.

9. Cinnamon - Sprinkle it on oatmeal or whole-grain toast to help sure those mid-afternoon sugar slumps. Research has found that a little cinnamon can help control post-meal insulin spikes, which make you feel hungry.

10. Nuts - Yes, nuts are fattening but research shows that people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don't. They help by reviving up the metabolism. Plus certain nuts like walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for you.

Source : Body & Soul, TOI

Eat To Lose - Part 1

If you thought the only way of losing weight is not wating at all, think again. New research shows a number of foods - from beans to beef - that can help you fight hunger, increase your metabolism and ultimately, shed those extra kilos/pounds.

1. Eggs - Eggs are full of protein and help you feel fuller longer. They also prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings.

2. Beans - Get back on the green diet. Eating beans increases Cholecystokinin, a digestive hormone and a natural appetite suppressant. There's also evidence that beans keep blood sugar in check, so you can stay away from the hunger pangs longer.

3. Salad - Control your calorie intake by starting with a large salad sans the creamy mayonnaise dressing. A alrge serving of salad can keep you full and contains high levels of vitamins C & E, folic acid, lycopene and carotenoids.

4. Soup - A cup of chicken soup is as good as eating a piece of chicken. Even the simplest soup satisfies hunger pangs because your brain perceives it as filling.

5. Pears - These contain pectin fiber which decreases blood-sugar levels, helping you avoid in between snacking.

Source : Body & Soul, TOI

Brain Boosting Activities - 3

11. Starting the day out with a good breakfast has been proven to supply energy to the brain and body for the whole day. When you skip breakfast, you’re missing out on a powerful edge, both physically and mentally.

12. Walking allows you to clear your mind and thoughts. Not only is it good exercise for your body, walking gives your brain a chance to wander freely, clearing it of any
troublesome thoughts.

13. Drink a serving of pure fruit juice.. Fruit juice contains nutrients that revitalize and refresh the brain. Juices to drink are pomegranate, blueberry, and cranberry as they deliver more focus and energy.

14. Students who drink some caffeine before an exam typically have higher scores than those who don’t. This is because caffeine stimulates activity in the brain, which produces better focus and thinking ability. Don’t overdo it though!

15. Draw a picture. Like painting, drawing stimulates the creative side of your brain. So get out some colored pencils and start boosting your brainpower.

To get the most out of these brain boosting activities, mix them up and do a variety of them at different times. Just choosing one won’t boost your brainpower, however, combining and alternating them will give your brain the added boost you need now and in the long run.

Basics of Weight Control - 2

Beware of the creeping waistline

Experts predict nine out of ten people will be overweight or obese at some point in their lifetime. However, most people don't realize they're becoming overweight because it happens fairly slowly. The average yearly weight gain among adults is one to three pounds. This means most people are off by only 20 to 30 calories a day. Small changes such as skipping those last few bites or taking 200-300 extra steps per day will keep you trim and away from weight loss diets. But keep in mind as you get older, you're likely to burn fewer calories because your daily routine changes. This means you need to start thinking about your caloric intake and your level of physical activity. And to keep your weight in check, you'll need to get on the scale or measure your waistline more than once a year.

Boost your calorie IQ

One of the most effective weight control tools is tracking what you eat. An old fashioned pen and paper work just fine but online trackers also offer support and feedback. After a week or so, you'll be amazed at how much you learn and your calorie IQ will get a huge boost. Those who consistently track what they eat lose more weight and are more successful at keeping the weight off. Doing so will help you decide where to cut back - skip a regular 20 ounce soda and save 250 calories, switch from whole milk to skim milk and save 50 calories a cup, go for regular coffee instead of a regular blended drink and save 300 calories. If you can't face cutting all of your favorites out of your diet, eating smaller portions is an acceptable compromise. The small steps are often the ones which have the biggest effect, since they're easier to stick with. Check your surroundings.

Source : ArticleDashBoard

Brain Boosting Activities - 2

6. Taking fish oil supplements is literally like membrane material for the brain.. The two primary components in fish oil, DHA and EPA, strengthen the emotional center of the brain and boost focus.


7. Studies have proven that listening to music strengthens the right hemisphere of the brain and actually changes the structure of it. Also, people who listen to music are shown to be more emotionally intelligent than those who don’t.


8. Writing improves memory and thought expression. Writing articles, blogs, or journal entries stimulates thought processes, which also enhances brain function.


9. Sleep clears out brain clutter and reduces brain fog. When you don’t get enough sleep at night, your memory and normal brain function suffers.


10. Painting is shown to be an effective brain booster in that it sparks the creativity within you. Even if you’ve never tried painting before, give it a shot. You’ll find that you feel more creative and may actually enjoy it.

Brain Boosting Activities - 1

If you don’t keep your mind active, studies show that your brain loses some of its functionality as you age, which causes memory loss, brain fog, and even Alzheimer’s.A well-stimulated brain also elevates your mood, which helps you feel better on the inside.Here are some brain boosting activities:

1. Play games that challenge and stimulate your mind. These include:* Picture Puzzles* Strategy Games* Crossword Puzzles* Card Games* Deduction Games (such as Clue)* Visualization Puzzles* Optical Illusions

2. Reading stimulates the brain as it activates your imagination. Reading also helps with memory retention and problem solving, especially if you’re reading a mystery. Also, self-help books stimulate your brain by helping you to think for yourself, as well as find solutions in your mind.

3. Exercising helps circulate blood that carries oxygen to your brain. Over the long-term, exercise is proven to increase brainpower and even create new neurons.

4. Stimulate your brain with meditation.. Meditation has been shown to increase your IQ, relieve stress, and promote a higher level of brain functioning. Meditation also stimulates the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area of the brain responsible for advanced thinking, ability and performance.

5. Deep breathing helps deliver oxygen to your brain. Oxygen helps you be more alert and awake. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of deep breathing daily can increase brain functionality.

Basics of Weight Control - 1

When it comes to determining your weight, there is only one factor ...calories

Controlling your weight comes down to one thing - managing calories. Your body is a complex machine that requires fuel to run your metabolism and perform all movement. Calories from the food and beverages you consume provide this fuel. If you burn all the fuel you take in, your weight will remain stable. If you end up with excess fuel that isn't burned, it will be stored as body fat and your weight will increase. Similarly, if you burn more fuel than you take in, you'll lose weight - it's that simple. By managing the calories you take in and the calories you burn, you can successfully control your weight.

Manual labor is now performed by machines and computers. Very few calories are burned during our daily routine because work, transportation, recreation and entertainment are mostly sedentary. People eat out more frequently and enticing food is offered everywhere in large quantities, day or night. Because people have a natural tendency to preserve energy and eat even when we're not hungry, modern lifestyle easily leads to unburned fuel and unwanted weight gain.

Source : ArticleDashBoard

Things that can keep help you lose fat

Always get enough sleep : The importance of sleep can not be emphasized in a right way. It is the most crucial thing that will have direct effects on your health. Sleeping for enough hours is essential for everyone. Many studies have claimed that a sleep of about seven hours will keep them fit and slimmer. On the other hand, sleeping for less than seven hours can increase weight. So, develop a perfect schedule to get enough sleep at night.

Maintain good eating habits : There are many who always skip breakfast and go with late night meals. It is imperative to mention that breakfast can really provide you the energy that is required to perform day to day tasks. So, it must never be skipped. All those who skip breakfast always find them in a problem of excessive weight. Breakfast can have a direct impact on metabolism, so, it should never be skipped. Similarly, always stay away from late night meals as calories can make you gain more weight.

Exercising : There is nothing to emphasize the importance of exercising. Exercise can help you to stay active and it can strengthen your immune system along with metabolism. Of course if you are obese, exercise is the best solution for you as well. Students must always try to get indulged in some physical activities like swimming, running, walking, etc.

Bad drinking habits : Stay away from bad habits like drinking alcohol, soda etc. Drinking alcohol can really create bad effects on your weight as it injects empty calories in your body. Drinking 8 beers means that you are having 960 empty calories which is really undesirable. Similarly, soda can also be considered bad because of the presence of processed sugar.

Source : Drhitesh

5-4-3-2-1 DIET PLAN !

Each of three meals per day should consist of:

5 bites of protein.
4 bites of vegetables.
3 bites of carbs, preferably whole grains.

2 bites of sweets.
1 minute between bites.

Add:

One mid-morning snack,

one mid-afternoon snack (yogurt or other dairy, fruit, nuts),

a multivitamin, and

8 glasses of water each day.

Rules for this diet plan:

If you do not want dessert, you can eat two additional bites of protein, vegetables, or carbs.
If your menu items are not separated, eat 14 total bites. For example, a pasta dish would not be separated.
One subtle way to help count bites is to move a piece of food off to the side of your plate for each bite you eat.
Bites should be “normal”-sized and chewed well.
Eat “mindfully.” Don’t be distracted. Savor each bite.
Limit diet soda to one per day.
Prepare foods in a healthy manner. Limit fats to two teaspoons of heart-healthy oils each day.
Include a minimum of 30 minutes each day of exercise.
Choose denser foods to stay full longer.

Source : easy-weightloss-tips

Cinnamon for Weight Loss

Role of Cinnamon in Weight Loss

Intake of cinnamon in the form of powder or sticks can be useful in controlling cholesterol levels in the body. While it lowers the amount of bad cholesterol, it leaves the good cholesterol at the same level. Cinnamon also regulates blood sugar levels and helps in the fight against obesity and insulin resistance. Cinnamon is very useful for patients suffering from diabetes, as it helps them in using less insulin.

Honey and Cinnamon Recipe for Weight Loss

Take one spoonful of honey, one spoonful of cinnamon powder and mix them in a cup of warm water. This concoction should be consumed every morning on an empty stomach. Although the actual mechanism of how this recipe helps in losing weight naturally is not clearly known, people have reported to have benefited from regular consumption of this mixture.

Besides helping in weight loss, honey and cinnamon have other health benefits like fighting heart diseases, improving digestion, purifying blood and improving blood circulation. All these health factors and obesity are interrelated. Hence, not only do honey and cinnamon help in weight loss, but they also ensure an overall well being of an individual.

Source : Buzzle

How to Break Bad Eating Habits - II

If You’re a Mindless Muncher

The fallout :

Television makes people particularly prone to spaced-out eating. In fact, "folks who eat while watching the tube take in 20 to 60 percent more than if they are focused on their food," according to Brian Wansink, a professor of marketing at Cornell University and the author of Mindless Eating.

The fix :

Figure out which situations trigger mindless eating for you, then consciously make an effort to eat only when you’re fully engaged. If you need a few snacks, set limits on what you’ll eat. Dole out a single serving before you sit down on the couch, or delay your snack until you can pay attention. Minimize damage by dipping into low-cal foods, such as cut vegetables, air-popped popcorn, rice crackers, and whole-grain cereal.

Source : RealSimple

Honey for Weight Loss

Of the various natural products and spices, honey and cinnamon have been found to be useful in the process of weight loss.

Role of Honey in Weight Loss : It is true that honey is a type of sugar. However, while the dietary sugars have only carbohydrates, honey, a natural sweetener, has vitamins and minerals as well. When our body digests sugar, it uses the vitamins and minerals present in our tissues. Hence, in the process of digesting dietary sugar, a deficit of vitamins and minerals is created in our body. This deficit is not created when honey is digested, as besides being a rich source carbohydrates, honey also provides important vitamins and minerals to the body. Hence, the metabolism of fats and cholesterol remains unhindered when dietary sugars are replaced with honey. Honey also helps in digestion, and taking this natural sweetener after a heavy meal helps in avoiding any problems that may arise due to overeating.

Honey Recipes for Weight Loss

Honey and Warm Water : Drinking a cup of warm water with one spoon of honey in it every morning is believed to help in weight loss. Fat remains stored as an unused source of energy in our tissues. Honey is believed to mobilize this stored fat that is burnt up to provide energy for our daily activities. This results in gradual loss of weight.

Honey and Lemon : One spoon of honey with a few drops of lemon, mixed with warm water is another recipe made from honey that is believed to reduce one's weight. Although the results are slow, regular consumption of this mixture is believed to aid in weight loss.

Source : Buzzle

How to Break Bad Eating Habits - I

If You’re a Serious Snacker

The fallout : You may end up overeating. A healthy snack or two between meals is fine. Snacks can keep blood sugar steady as well as allow you to rack up more servings of fruits and vegetables. “It’s when you snack in place of eating real meals that you’re more likely to lose track of how much you’re eating,” Of course, what you eat matters, too. Typical snack foods (chips, cookies, pretzels) aren’t that nutritious or satisfying, so it’s easy to overdo them.

The fix : To keep your energy up and hunger at bay, allow yourself two snacks a day of 100 to 300 calories each. “Rather than a cookie or a candy bar, opt for something that feels like real food―half of a small sandwich, whole-grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, baby carrots with hummus, or yogurt sprinkled with cereal”.

Source : RealSimple

Indoor Exercises ... Part II

When you´ve finished the cardio portion of your workout, add some target exercises to help tone things up. You can do floor exercises or use a balance ball, which can be inexpensively purchased. In addition to the obvious crunches and push ups, add toning exercises for your arms, back, waist, hips, and legs. A simple search online can provide you with a plethora of choices along with instructions for proper form.

Don´t forget flexibility and strength training, two vital categories in an effective workout. Your overall flexibility can be improved through stretching and activities involved in yoga or Pilates. Strength training can be easily completed at home using inexpensive light hand weights or common household items. Canned goods, laundry detergent bottles, and sacks of
sugar and flour can all be used as hand weights. Gallon-sized jugs of water are ideal when heavier weights are needed.

So, the point is that when there´s a will, there´s a way! As Nike says, "Just do it!" Don´t make excuses; just find inventive ways to accomplish your goals! You certainly won´t be sorry

Source : American Nutrition

Super Easy Ways to Exercise Indoors Without Special Equipment !

There are all those people whose schedules don´t provide them with daylight hours in which to exercise. If you fall into one of these categories, don´t give up your workout. Just look for ways to workout inside. You might have to be a little creative, but you can definitely boost your heart rate and burn impressive calories!

You can enjoy everything from beginning yoga to rigorous boot camp options following books, videos or cable. A good cardio workout is one that leaves you sweating and huffing and puffing. You can achieve these results by jumping rope, running stairs, or doing jumping jacks! Put on your favorite tunes and walk or jog in place, or dance the night away!

Source : American Chronicle

Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages

Before you tear into that bag of potato chips, drink a glass of water first. People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger, so you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really all you needed. If plain water doesn't cut it, try drinking flavored sparkling water or brewing a cup of fruit-infused herbal tea.

Source : MedicineNet

Don't lose weight quickly post pregnancy

But according to a new study women should not put themselves under too much pressure straight away. Experts have revealed that overdoing early weight lossattempts could have a negative impact on breastfeeding. Celebrities have started a new craze among new mums - shedding baby weight immediately after giving birth.

They said that weight gain during pregnancy is not only normal, it is necessary. The mother's body has to nourish the growing baby. Her body needs to take on more fluid to support the extra circulation the placenta and baby need. Some of this added weight will usually be lost as soon as the baby is born.

Recent studies have revealed that women who have become overweight or more overweight during pregnancy have a higher chance of ongoing weight problems if they are not back to a normal weight within six months or a year after having a baby.

Exercise is important when people are overweight, but after pregnancy, a lot of exercise does not necessarily help a great deal. The evidence shows that a balanced diet helps "with or without extra exercise".

Source: ANI

Weight Loss Diet with Fruits and Vegetables.

Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your shopping list. Buy produce that is the in-store special of the week. Adding fruits and vegetables to your shopping list will maintain your weight loss diet.

Diet Tip - Control Intake of High Calories Food.

Avoid or Control Buying Foods High In Calories. Potato chips, cookies, cake, and other snacks should not be a part of your shopping list. Always check the fat grams posted on food labels. Curtailing your fat intake doesn’t mean breaking your household budget.

Courtesy - Aislebyaisle.com

Weight Control Tip - Limit Bulk Buying and Stop Cook in Bulk.

Limit Bulk Buying When you buy in bulk, the tendency is to cook in bulk. Cooking too much can lead to overeating. If you must buy in bulk to save, avoid food overload by cooking smaller portions.

Courtesy - Aislebyaisle.com

Excessive Alcohol is Bad For General Health

Although both beneficial and adverse health effects of alcohol consumption vary according to the amount consumed and the individual characteristics and circumstances of the drinker, the health consequences of heavy alcohol consumption are well documented. They include: increased risk of liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, as well as cancers of the throat, stomach and rectum.

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Overweight - Develop Health Problems

Being seriously overweight and particularly obesity can develop into a number of diseases and serious health problems, and it is now a known fact that when caloric intake is excessive, some of the excess frequently is saturated fat.

 

Courtesy : Free Weight Loss

Never Shop on Empty Stomach

Never go shopping on an empty stomach! Shopping with a growling tummy will not only blow your diet but bust your budget. You will buy items that are not included on your household shopping list. So eat before you go to the grocery store.

 

 

Courtesy : Aislebyaisle

Liquid/Meal Replacement Diet Plan

Meal replacement or liquid supplement diets are designed to provide users with a fixed number of calories as well as all the necessary vitamins and minerals required for good dietary health. Eaten as an alternative to regular foods, liquid diet meals usually take the form of shakes or soups, or differing types of bars. Although taste can vary between brands, a liquid meal replacement plan (eg. SlimFast, Scan Diet) typically offers a convenient method of healthy weight reduction.

 

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tips - High Calorie Eating

High Calorie Daily Eating Habits

It's easy to fall into bad (high-calorie) eating habits. For example, a daily diet which includes: regular butter (35 calories/tsp) and mayonnaise (100/tbsp), too much cooking oil (120 calories/tbsp), snacks of tortilla chips (150 calories/11 chips), a soda (100 calories/cup) or a donut (350 calories/3oz) and before long you've added 700-800 calories without even realising it. This explains why we gain weight even though we may not "overeat."

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Keep Alcohol in Control

Excessive Alcohol is Bad For Weight Control and Nutrition

When trying to lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight, an excessive alcohol intake makes it harder to ingest adequate nutrition while remaining within your calorie allowance. Meaning: drinking alcohol when following a weight loss diet is bad, either because you eat too many calories and gain weight, or because the non-nutritional calories in alcohol are likely to cause you to go without essential minerals and vitamins.

 

Courtesy - Diet-I

Weght Loss Tips - Never Skip a Meal

To lose weight quickly, never skip a meal. Your first meal after waking starts your metabolism. Your metabolism then speeds up for about eight hours and then starts slowing down until you go to sleep when it goes to low until you wake and eat and start the cycle again. Skip breakfast and your metabolism doesn't get started until lunch time. You've just missed three or four hours of fat burning time. When you skip meals during the day, your metabolism also slows down. Weight loss through the burning of stored fat is all about eating enough of the right kinds of foods so you stay full and your metabolism stays as high as possible. Remember, if you feel hungry, your metabolism slows down. Stay full with healthy, nonfattening foods and your metabolism will continue to burn your stored fat as fast as your body will allow.

 

 

Courtesy : Whole Fitness

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 7

Work out with friends.

Get your co-workers in on the weight-loss game. That way, you can encourage each other throughout the day, have healthy lunches together and exercise together on breaks. Try organizing an at-work exercise or diet group. See if your company is willing to give you space and even funds for equipment (mats, weights, etc.).

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 6

Exercise during off hours.

Get in exercise before and after work to offset all that sedentary time at your computer. If you don't live too far, think about walking to work. If that's not possible, instead of spending an extra hour sitting in traffic, find a gym near your office and go there instead. Once you're done exercising, rush hour will be over and you'll still be home at the same time.

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 5

Move!

Even if it's just 10 minutes of exercise at a time,get up and move whenever possible.
Eat your lunch at a park a few blocks away, and walk there instead of driving.
Walk to a colleague's desk rather than e-mailing or calling.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Park as far away from the front door as possible.
Include exercise breaks in your calendar. Treat them just as you would any other appointment — you have to be there!
Place your wastepaper basket far away from your desk so you'll have to move to throw away garbage.
Place your phone out of reach so you'll have to stretch or even get up to answer it.

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 4

Portion Patrol. In this age of "supersizing," prepacking your meals in containers will help you eat reasonable servings. Get to know true serving sizes, and plan meals with that in mind. A good guide to follow: One ounce of meat is about the size of the average thumb, 2-3 ounces is about the size of a palm, and a cup of cereal or rice is about the size of a fist.

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 3

3. Plan lunch. "I eat half of my lunch at 11:30; then, when the mid-afternoon munchies hit, I eat the other half," suggests one dieter. Schedule your lunch to protect against cravings. It's best to bring your lunch from home — that way, you can control your portions and keep track of exactly how many calories you consume.

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 2

2. Drink up. As with healthy foods, keep enough water at your desk and you'll easily drink your six 8-ounces glasses by the end of the day. Keep a bottle or glass full of fresh water next to your computer at all times.

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers
 

9-to-5 Diet Strategies - 1

The solution is to make the most of your desk's diet potential. Here are the tricks they believe work best.

 

1. Snack wisely. "A lot of people snack while they sit at the computer". If you're one of them, be prepared. Keep healthy options handy so you don't rush off for an emergency visit to the vending machine. Bring fresh fruit, veggies and salsa to work. One dieter's smart suggestion : Keep snacks not at your desk, but stowed away in a file cabinet. Out of sight, out of mind. If that strategy doesn't work for you, only bring the amount you want to eat each day.

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers
 

Selfish Reasons For Losing Weight Are Essential

And it's no good trying to reduce weight or develop a flat stomach to please someone else. Reasons like: "My doctor wants me to lose weight" or "I'm dieting to please my partner" are no good. You must only lose weight to please yourself. Because when you want that high calorie creamy dessert, or that extra slice of pizza, other people suddenly stop being relevant. To motivate yourself to restrict your calories, you need to do it for yourself !

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip - Eat Only when Required

Try to focus on your internal hunger signals instead of external stimuli telling you to eat. Don't eat if you are not hungry, even if that is the time you normally would eat. You can resist cravings for foods in between meals by doing something to take your mind of eating. Try taking a walk or doing something active to distract yourself until the craving passes.

 

 

Courtesy : Health Authority

Some Dieting Methods Lead to Extra Muscle Loss

Some types of diets can increase loss of muscle, as opposed to fat. For example, if we try to reduce weight too fast (by following a very-low-energy diet), our brain may think that there is a food shortage, and try to conserve calories. One method it uses to achieve this calorie-conservation, is to burn muscle instead of fat. Why? Because, compared to fat, muscle requires fewer calories to maintain.

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip - Stop Worrying!

Stop worrying about shape, looks, status and a thousand other things.
Whisper to yourself these 3 magic words : NO - MORE - WORRIES

I've helped loads of teenagers to lose weight so I know what I'm talking about.

Worry is a complete waste of your precious time.

 

Courtesy : Hundred Weight Loss Tips

Getting Enough Water Daily

To make sure you're getting enough water:

• Track your water intake. Try recording every glass of water or other beverage you drink.
  
• Drink more water and fewer caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Both substances are diuretics that are less hydrating than water. After your morning cup, stick to decaffeinated beverages for the rest of the day. Drinking water or seltzer between alcoholic beverages can help you stay hydrated — and save calories, too, by filling you up.

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

Benefits of consuming Fenugreek

The chemical compunds found in fenugreek (methi) have the ability to aid the digestive process. Consequently, when taken with meals it is believed that fenugreek is able to slow down the rate at which sugars are absorbed into the body, whereby regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, studies indicate that fenugreek may induce or promote the production of insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated.

 

~ TOI

Exercise Cuts DIABETES Risk in people with BIG WAISTS

Exercise can help people with large waistlines reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Scientists found that people with large waistlines who exercise were less likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes than their less active counterparts. They found that physically inactive people with large waistlines had a 5.5 times greater risk of suffering from diabetes than active people with small waists. They added that 30 minutes of exercise five times a week could help people with large waists lower their odds of suffering the illness by 4.2 times. This can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

 

 

~ NICHE

Diet Tip - At First Dieting is Easy

Starting a new diet is easy. We are full of enthusiasm and motivation to lose weight. But two weeks later it's often a different story. Our desire to reduce weight has diminished, our diet-plan has become boring and our weight loss goals seem as faraway as ever. Indeed, after 14 days of counting calories and eating only healthy foods, we often find ourselves yearning for a high-calorie pizza or carton of ice cream.

 

Courtesy : Diet I

 

Effects of Dehydration

If you're not properly hydrated, you're apt to suffer from dehydration, which can cause symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Drinking enough water — six 8-ounce glasses each day at a minimum — may also help you avoid overeating. If you're hit by a craving, try drinking some water, seltzer, or juice and seltzer mixed. This will hydrate you and help fill you up.

 

Being even slightly dehydrated can also make you feel irritable and cranky — a mood that leads many of us to eat unwisely.

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

 

Why Men Gain Weight ?

Be moderate about alcohol.
You don't have to give up.

Take some regular exercise.
You don't have to jog your butt off.

Eat less red meat.
You don't have to eat lentils.

 

 

Courtesy : Hundred Weight Loss Tips

Wegith Control Tips - Why Drink Water ?

Water doesn't seem to contribute much to your health. After all, it has no vitamins. No fiber. No protein. No carbohydrates. So why bother drinking it? The truth is, water is vital to your well-being — and staying adequately hydrated can even help you control your weight.

Water is needed for every cell in your body, Water helps your body maintain its optimal temperature. It also helps your body digest food, convert it to energy, get rid of waste and avoid constipation.

 

 

Courtesy : Weight Watchers

 

Limit & Measure Your Food

Try to limit your serving size and actually measure out the portions of food you are going to eat. It is very easy to overestimate how much you are eating. Keep measuring cups and spoons at the ready

 

 

Courtesy : Health Authority

Diet Tip - Choose Low Calorie Foods

Choose low fat, and  low calorie foods.  Eat grilled fish instead of fried fish;  instead of  french fries, have a baked potato (without all of the butter and sour cream).

 

 

~ Health Authority

Managing Food Binge

An occasional food binge does not usually lead to significant weight gain and therefore won't destroy your diet.

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip for Women

Throw Away Your Weighing Scales!!

Forget about what you weigh and instead, concentrate on improving your eating habits
You see a scales makes you think SHORT-TERM THOUGHTS
Like - 'how much do I weigh THIS week?'

Whereas, you should be thinking LONG-TERM THOUGHTS

Like...
'How much am I going to weigh in three months.'
Or...
'I'm going to slowly change my figure and my life. Even though this may take a while.'

 

 

Courtesy : Hundred Weight Loss Tips

Diet Tip - Low Fat Diets

Low fat diets reduce the bad, LDL, cholesterol while low cabohydrate diets have no effect on the LDL levels. However, low carbohydrate diets raise the good HDL cholesteol and lower triglycerides and improve control of the blood glucose (sugar) level whereas as low fat diets actually lower the HDL level and raise the triglyceride level.

 

 

Courtesy : Healthy Hearts

Health Tip : Humor to deal with Stress

Humor is a good way of dealing with stress. Having the ability to find humor in a stressful situation and being able to laugh about it, releases all the tension that is building inside. Even if the situation cannot be made light of, think of something else that will make you laugh.

 

 

Courtesy : Health Authority

Weight Loss Myth - Late Night Eating Leads to Weight Gain

LATE NIGHT EATING DOES NOT LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN

Our body metabolises food in the same way, whether it's midday or midnight. So late-night eating is no more likely to damage your weight loss or lead to weight gain, than mid-morning eating.

The truth: It's not WHEN you eat that counts - it's WHAT you eat. So although eating high-calorie foods like cookies, ice cream and cakes in front of the TV can lead to weight gain, this is because of the high-calorie nature of the foods, not because it's late in the evening.

 

Courtesy - Diet-I

Adopt Sensible Eating Habits

Weight regain typically occurs when we quit a fad diet, a very-low-calorie plan, or any very short term diet that causes us to adopt unrealistic eating habits. So when choosing a weight loss diet, choose one that encourages the adoption of sensible eating habits which are easier to maintain after the "diet" ends.

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Benefits from drinking Coconut Water !

The highly mineral-charged coconut water acts to detoxify the kidneys, which indirectly affects its neighbours, the reproductive organs. Healthy kidneys are believed to promote a vibrant, healthy attitude. Coconut's amazing healing properties are also attributed to reducing the risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

 

Courtesy : TOI

Weight Loss Tip - Portion Sized Matters

Almost nobody can stop eating at just one normal serving if there's extra food on their plate.  True to this, researchers found that the bigger the portion, the more the people eat. However, it's not increased portion size alone that contributes to excess weight, but also eating large portions of high-calorie, high-fat foods that may lead to obesity.  Eat large portions of foods low in calories and fat such as vegetables, fruits and clear soups as they provide satisfying portions with few calories. Hence watch the amount and the type of food that goes into your plate for maintaining a healthy weight.  Your weight is in your hands!

 

~ NICHE

Eat Small Meals/Snacks 5/6 Times A Day !

Eat small, frequent meals and snacks (5 or 6 a day). This pattern of eating has been shown to raise metabolism and keep blood sugar levels stable. It also helps to prevent binging because you never feel famished.

 

 

Courtesy : Yoga Staff

Eat throughout the day

Eat regularly throughout the day, starting with breakfast. Do not allow yourself to go longer than 3 hours without eating something, even if it's just a small snack.

 

 

Courtesy : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip - Never Eat Less.

Never under eat (less than 1200 calories per day). Eating less than is required to support your basal metabolism will slow your metabolism down!

 

 

Courtesy : Yoga Staff

Practical Weight Loss Tips

Do not eat late at night. Dinner should be light and eaten as early as possible, preferably at least 3 hours before bedtime. You will sleep easier and your body will be re-energising itself rather than digesting a meal.

 

~ Yoga Staff

Eat Often Burn More Calories (and Fat!)

The calories in the food we eat provide vital fuel energy to maintain our basic metabolic needs, and to power muscles.

To ensure our metabolism has all the fuel it needs, our brain constantly monitors our calorie intake and expenditure, and will - if it thinks there is a shortage of food energy - intervene to conserve energy for survival purposes. So long as we continue eating regularly, there's no problem: we burn calories at our normal speed, and if we create a calorie deficit we will burn stored body fat and thus lose weight. However, if we go too long without eating something, our brain intervenes to reduce our rate of calorie-burning (our metabolic rate). Result? Fat burning slows down or stops.

More calories are needed to maintain muscle tissue than fat tissue. So if our calorie deficit persists and we require more energy, we stop burning fat and start burning muscle tissue instead.

 

Courtesy : Diet I

Antidote to Fix Bad Habits

Antidote :

 

1)  Put your fork down between bites of food so that you eat more slowly – your body needs at least 20 minutes before your brain registers that you are full.

2) If you start to feel uncomfortable or full halfway through a meal, stop eating, no matter how much food is left – you've had enough

3) Remember that you don't have to waste leftovers. They can always be frozen or reheated the next day.

Fix Bad Food Habits

" Clean your plate" and "Waste not, want not."

"Although applied to children with the best intentions, this food lesson teaches us to ignore our body's signals about feeling full, which can cause overeating,"

Weight Loss Tip - Stretch Your Meals !

Stretch your meals to, at least, 20 minutes or longer. Your stomach, mouth and brain are all connected and it takes 20 minutes of chewing before your stomach signals your brain that you are full. To feel full and successfully lose weight on any weight loss program, you need to eat slowly for 20 minutes or longer.

 

 

Source  : Wholefitness

Diet Tip - Weigh Yourself

An important first step, when starting a diet, is to get on the scale, see what you weigh now, and then define your goal weight. You will know where you are now and where you want to be. Then, the only challenge is filling in the middle, but it's important to define the journey before you take on the challenge. 

 

 

Source : Start Your Diet

Weight Loss Tip - Stay Fuller with Fiber !

Eating more fiber is a great way to feel fuller throughout the day. Your breakfast can pack a fiber punch. Make sure you use whole wheat bread for toast. Choose a high-fiber cereal like raisin bran. Enjoy some fruit with its skin such as an apple.

 

Not only will the carbs give your energy level a boost, the fiber will give your meal extra staying-power and get you closer to the 25 grams of fiber we're all supposed to get each day.

 

 

Source : WeightLoss About

 

 

Weight Loss - Why Men Gain Weight

Why Men Gain Weight

1. Drink. 2. Less Exercise 3. Eating Red Meat

 

Problems :

Alcohol enhances impotence,

Lack of exercise enhances heart disease &

Too much red meat does both.

 

Better approach :
1.   Be moderate about alcohol. You don't have to give up.

2.   Take some regular exercise. No need to get tired jogging & exercising.
3.   Eat less red meat.

 

 

Source : Hundred WeightLoss Tips
 

Diet Tip - Switch to Diet Soft Drinks

If you haven't done so already, switch to diet soft drinks. An average 12 Oz can of regular soda contains around 120 calories, while the diet version usually has one or zero. If you drink 3 cans a day, you'll be saving 360 calories right there. Now multiply that by 7 days a week, 30 days a month and 365 days a year... You'll be saving a lot of calories!

 

 

Source : Start Your Diet

Diet Tip - Try Mustard !!

Use mustard on all your sandwiches instead of mayonnaise. Mustard has no fat and very little calories while Mayo, on the other hand, is loaded with fat.

 

Start Your Diet

Diet Tip - Stay in Motion !

Remember that starting your diet is the hardest part and it does get easier after that. You know the saying: "Objects in motion tend to stay in motion, objects at rest tend to stay at rest." This applies to dieting as well. Once you build up a little momentum and start living healthier, you'll automatically start making healthier decisions.

 

 

Source : Start Your Diet

Types of Diets - I

Weight-loss diets restrict the intake of specific foods, or food in general, to reduce body weight. What works to reduce body weight for one person will not necessarily work for another, due to metabolic differences and lifestyle factors. Also, it's important to note that short-term dieting does not necessarily lead to weight loss in the long term. Reducing the body's food supply causes it to stockpile excess fat as a starvation response once normal eating is resumed - meaning crash dieting leads to small short-term weight loss, then an increase in weight shortly afterwards.

 

 

Source : Wikipedia

Does Dieting Lead To Weight Gain? - IV

Effects of Repetitive Low Calorie Dieting on Metabolic Rate

If we lose weight, we always lose a little muscle tissue. And if we follow very-low-calorie diets, this loss of muscle increases. In either case, our metabolic rate tends to fall, making it easier to gain weight in future because we now need fewer calories.

 

Now when we stop dieting and revert to a higher calorie-intake, it's common to regain weight. This weight gain is exclusively fat.

 

Thus as you can see, while dieting typically leads to a loss of fat AND muscle, weight regain is

just fat. Therefore, if we engage in yo-yo dieting (weight cycling), gradually our body fat percentage gets bigger, our muscle percentage gets smaller, and our metabolic rate gets lower and lower. This means our calorie-needs get smaller and smaller. So each time we quit dieting and return to eating, we are likely to gain weight.

 

 

Source : Diet-I

Does Dieting Lead To Weight Gain? - III

Losing Muscle Tissue Lowers Metabolic Rate

Metabolic rate is the speed at which we use calories to fuel resting body functions, such as temperature maintenance, heart-beat, circulation, breathing and the millions of other biochemical functions which occur around the clock. Now, as stated above, our body needs more calories to maintain muscle tissue than fat tissue, so the more muscule we have, the more calories we burn, and therefore the higher our metabolic rate.

 

 

Source : Diet-I

Does Dieting Lead To Weight Gain? - II

Some Dieting Methods Lead to Extra Muscle Loss
Some types of diets can increase loss of muscle, as opposed to fat. For example, if we try to reduce weight too fast (by following a very-low-energy diet), our brain may think that there is a food shortage, and try to conserve calories. One method it uses to achieve this calorie-conservation, is to burn muscle instead of fat. Why? Because, compared to fat, muscle requires fewer calories to maintain.

 

 

Source : Diet-I

Does Dieting Lead To Weight Gain?

Yes. Under certain circumstances, repetitive dieting may lead to weight gain.

 

We Don't Just Lose Fat

Typically, when we reduce energy-intake (by following a calorie-controlled diet) and increase energy expenditure (by taking extra exercise), we create a calorie-deficit and thus lose weight. This weight loss typically comprises fat, but includes a small proportion of muscle tissue as well.

 

Source : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip - Food is Good for Weight Loss - II

What Foods to Avoid

For optimum weight control, the foods you should avoid, or eat sparingly, are the "melt-in-the-mouth" type foods, that are easily eatable even when you are full! Foods such as: creamy desserts, regular soft drinks, ice cream, cakes, fatty take-outs, fried food, fatty breads (muffins, donuts) - you know the sort of foods we mean! Many foods which are super-tasty are likely to be high in fat or sugar, or both. That's what makes them so yummy. Of course, you can safely eat any food occasionally, but if you have difficulty saying No to these foods, avoid them until you have lost weight.

 

 

Source : Diet-I

Weight Loss Tip - Food is Good for Weight Loss

The greatest danger is hunger. Go hungry, and you need superhuman willpower to avoid temptation. But if your stomach is full of healthy food, you won't be tempted by high calorie junk food and the like. Even if you need to eat a few extra calories, it's worth it to stay in control of your appetite.

What Foods To Eat

If you want to lose or maintain weight, the best foods to fill up on, are fruits, vegetables, beans, chewy carbs like whole wheat bread, brown rice - or anything that takes time to eat. No one is overweight because they overeat on these foods. They are rich in dietary fiber, low-GI and will keep you full for longer.

 

Source : Diet-I

Weigth Loss Tip - Starvation Causes Muscle Loss

Starvation Causes Muscle Loss Not Fat Loss

When food is scarce, our body conserves energy and goes into "starvation mode" which slows down weight reduction. If we continue to eat too little food, our body typically conserves fat and burns muscle instead. This is because less energy is needed to maintain fat stores. In other words, if our diet contains insufficient calories, either we stop losing weight, or (if this calorie-deficit continues) we lose muscle tissue instead of fat. This is bad news for weight loss, as the higher our body fat percentage, the fewer calories we can eat before we gain weight.

 

Source : Diet-I

Weigth Loss Tip - Too Few Calories Causes Slow Weight Loss

Too Few Calories Causes Slow Weight Loss

Many dieters see food and calories as the enemy of weight loss. So they think the fewer calories they eat, the more weight they will lose. One reason why fad diets like the Cabbage Soup diet and Grapefruit diet are so popular. Unfortunately, although we do need to restrict calories if we want our body to burn its stored fat, we can't afford to eat too little. Why not? Because this sends a signal to our brain that food is scarce and convinces it to conserve calories. As a result, we stop burning calories as fast as normal, which leads to slower weight loss.

 

Source : Diet-I

Health Tip - Causes of Liver Damage - II

Remaining causes for Liver Damage ( Part II )

 

5.    Consuming too much medication.                              
6.    Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.                                            
7.    Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best

       cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very 

       fit.                                                   
8.    Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. 

9.    Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.          

Health Tip : Benefits From Eating CELERY

Benefits From Eating Celery

 

Celery contains Vitamin C and several other active compounds that promote health and which can help lower cholesterol. It is also packed with coumarins, that may be useful in cancer prevention. Vitamin C also helps to support the immune system. Vitamin C-rich foods like celery may help reduce cold sysmptoms or severity of cold sysmptoms; over 20 scientific studies have concluded that Vitamin C is a cold-fighter. Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, and is therefore also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Enjoy your Celery in the form of a salad, or just munch on a stick whenever you feel like it.

 

Source : TOI

July - Month of Cancerians - Tip # 7

Drinking Alcohol aggravates stomach problems, increases weight, and causes fluid retention in body tissues.

 

 

Source : TOI

Causes of Liver Damage - I

These are the main causes of Liver Damage - Part I

 

1.         Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.                                                
2.         Not urinating in the morning.                              
3.        Too much eating.                                            
4.        Skipping breakfast.        

 

Health Tip - Benefits from Consuming Ginseng

In terms of modern scientific research, ginseng is known as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that assist the body to restore itself to health and work without side effects even if the recommended dose is widely exceeded. Ginseng due to its adaptogens effects is widely used to lower cholesterol, increase energry and endurance, reduce fatique and effects of stress and prevent infections.

Ginseng appears to help people with diabetes. A study showed that ginseng could lower blood sugar 20 percent more than placebo.

Other important benefits of ginseng is its support in cancer treatment and its effects on sprts performance.

 

Source : TOI

Health Tip - Benfits from Eating Tomatoes

The red pigment contained in tomatoes is called lycopene. This compund appears to act as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Only recently, studies have revealed that lycopene may have twice the punch of another well known antioxidant betacarotene. Israeli researchers have found that lycopene is a powerful inhibitor of lung, breast and endometrial cancer cells.


Source : TOI

Health Tip : Working your brain during illness

Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

 

 

 

Health Tip : Head Covered while Sleeping

Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

July - Month of Cancerians - Tip # 9

Cancerians need to watch their diets very carefully in order to keep their digestive systems healthy and their weight under control.


Source : TOI

July - Month of Cancerians - Tip # 8

Food means security to Cancerians, and they turn to pies, cakes, ice creams, and candy to make themselves feel better.

Source : TOI

July - Month of Cancerians - Tip # 7

Drinking alcohol aggravates stomach problems, increases weight, and causes fluid retention in body tissues.


Source : TOI

July - Month of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 6

Born under a water sign, cancerians tend to overindulge in wine and alcohol, which you do not tolerate well.

 

 

Source : TOI

Health Tips : Sleep Deprivation

Sleep Deprivation                                                  

Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

 

 

Source : TOI

 

July - Month of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 5

Tension, anxiety, and emotional stress are the leading causes of illnes among Cancerians.

 

 

Source : TOI

 

Health Tips : Air Pollution

                                          
Air Pollution : The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

July - Month of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 4

Cancerians should stay away from spicy and highly seasoned food.

 

 

Source : TOI

July - Month of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 3

Starches, sugar and salt should be avoided by Cancerians.

 

 

Source : TOI

July - Month Of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 2

Fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and lean protein are a daily must for Cancerians.

 

 

Source : TOI

July - Month Of Cancerians - Diet Tip # 1

Cancerians should consume milk, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, which are high in calcium.

 

 

Source : TOI

Health Tips : High Sugar Consumption

High Sugar Consumption : Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.